LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.^ 



* f [SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT.] f 



! UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 

! 



B^b*^***"**- 



POEMS, 



WRITTEN DURING HIS EARLY PROFESSIONAL YEARS, 



HON. JESSE WALKEE, 



A BRIEF NOTICE OF THE AUTHOR 



REV. MONTGOMERY SCHUYLER. 



" Honored to the page that breathes — 
ihougb. rudely -wrought its outer garments are — 
■Of Virtue, Truth, Fidelity, and J.ove." 

Page 78. 




BUFFALO: 
PHINNEY & CO., PUBLISHERS. 

1854. 



F6 3\l<j 

.w 7 r 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1854, 
By B. A L WAI*E.ftB+. 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United 
States for the Northern District of New York. 



TO THE BLESSED MEMORY 

or 

BELA D. COE, 

THE EARLY AND TRIED ERIEND OF THE AUTHOR, 

&§is ILfttle Folume ts affectfonatelg ©etrfcatrti, 

BY ONE 

TO WHOM THE REMEMBRANCE OF BOTH IS PRECIOUS. 



CONTENTS. 



Invocation to Genius 9 

The Self-Devoted, 23 

Loves of the Lakes, . . > 47 

Moral Beauty, 67 

A Book, 71 

The Hearth-Stone, 77 

Address, Spoken at the opening of the Buffalo 

Theater, 81 

The Hero of the Plague, . . 87 

Song of the Golden Lyre, 105 

Tehoseroron, Ill 

Scenery of Lake George, 115 

Home, 119 

Let Love abide Forever 123 

I Love thee, Brother, 125 

A Fragment, . 127 

The Victor Spirit 131 

Saturdat Evening, 153 

1* 



U CONTENTS. 

"DiesIrae," 155 

The Baptism, 159 

Lines for the New Year, 161 

Ode to Liberty, 167 

The Patriot's Triumph, 173 



PEEFACE. 



It would seem fitting and proper that a brief notice 
of the Author of this little volume of Poems should 
accompany its publication. And it is eminently fitting 
and proper that this notice should be in the style and 
spirit of unobtrusive modesty which so pre-eminently 
characterized its subject. 

Judge Walker was born in the town of Whiting, 
Addison Co., Vt, and was graduated at Middlebury 
College, in the summer of 1833. 

He began, the same year, the study of Law, and in 
1835 removed to Buffalo, where, in 1836, he entered 
upon the practice of his profession. 

While engaged in his legal pursuits, he found time 
to cultivate his taste for general literature, and it was 
during these first years of his professional life, that the 
greater number of these poems were written. 



IV PREFACE. 

It may, perhaps, be the partiality of friendship which 
has influenced our judgment of their merits, in ad- 
vising their publication, and yet have we so much con- 
fidence in their intrinsic worth, as stamped with the 
marks of poetic genius, and as glowing with the warmth 
of a genial sympathy, a true-hearted benevolence, and 
a high-toned morality, that we do not fear the lash of 
ill-natured criticism. We send them forth, not only 
as a grateful memorial of their author, to the immedi- 
ate circle of private friendship, but on a more extend- 
ed mission, to beguile the leisure hours of the stran- 
ger, with the bright pictures of the chastened fancy, 
the kindling thoughts, and the ennobling sentiments of 
one who ever cherished in his own heart the feelings 
of a common brotherhood with his fellows. In the 
language of one of his favorite classics, u Homo sum, 
atque nil humanum a me alienum puto. v 

We are satisfied that no one (for example) can read 
the poem entitled " The Hero of the Plague," or " The 
Self-Devoted," and rise from their perusal, without 
conceiving a high respect for the nobility, both of 
heart and mind, which could dictate them, 



PREFACE. V 

We did not propose, in the space we have assigned 
ourselves, a lengthened notice of the life and writings 
of the author. It was our wish to make the notice 
such as his own modest appreciation of himself would 
have approved ; and yet, it seems due to his memory 
that the following proceedings of the members of the 
Bar, had upon the news of his death, should have a 
more permanent record than the ephemeral columns of 
a Daily Newspaper. 

" At a meeting of the members of the Bar, of the 
city of Buffalo, held at the Court House on the eve_ 
ning of the 6th inst., in reference to the death of 
Judge Walker — Elijah Ford, Esq., was called to 
the chair, and Wm. F. Miller appointed secretary. 
Messrs. Cameron, Baker and Nichols, were appoint- 
ed a committee on resolutions. After a few appropri- 
ate and eloquent remarks from H. Cameron, A. P. 
Nichols, J. 0. Putnam and B. Thompson, the fol- 
lowing resolutions were offered by A. P. Nichols 
Esq., from the committee on resolutions, and passed by 
the meeting. 

" Whereas, The mysterious Providence of God has 



VI PREFACE. 

suddenly snatched from our midst the Hon. Jesse 
Walker, Judge of Erie County, Therefore it is 

" Resolved by us, his surviving brethren of \he Bar, 
that in the death of Judge Walker, Justice has lost 
from out her Temple a pure and upright minister — 
the county of Erie an able and valued Judge, and our- 
selves a most worthy and deserving brother. 

" Resolved, That by this bereavement, so sudden, so 
unexpected, we are deeply and keenly afflicted. In 
the prime of life and health — in the maturity of ri- 
pened powers, cultured and enriched by much nice and 
varied learning — just entered upon the duties of an 
honorable and responsible official station, in which stu- 
dious habits, patience of examination, solidity of judg- 
ment, integrity, courtesy and modesty, gave assured 
promise of excellence, and walking before men blame- 
less in the purity of his private life and domestic rela- 
tions, our friend has been cut down and removed. We 
mourn his loss and will cherish his memory. How 
impressive the reiteration of that fearful truth which 
we all so well know, yet so little heed, that, " in the 
midst of life we are in death." * * * 



PREFACE. VII 

" Resolved, That the Court over which our de- 
ceased friend and brother so lately presided, in the flush 
and buoyancy of health, at its next session, be moved 
that these resolutions be entered in its minutes, as a 
permanent testimonial of our sorrow for his loss, and 
respect for his character." * * * 

There is no allusion, in the above proceedings, to 
the Christian calmness and resignation which marked 
his last hours. He died in the full possession of his 
faculties, and in the peaceful trust of 

" One who wraps the drapery of his couch 
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.'* 

He received the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Sup- 
per, and, in peace with God and man, fell asleep, and 
" was gathered to his fathers." 



INVOCATION TO GENIUS. 



3fit&0taii0n itf (§tnh&. 



i. 

Child of the skies ! spark of celestial fire ! 

Yet doomed on earth awhile in man to burn 
With bright and transient gleams and then 
expire : 
Thy reign no bounds — thy flight has no 

return. 
Thy course, forever onward, cannot learn 
The mystery of thy being ; nor thought 
define, 
~Nor yet the workings of thyself discern. 
Must Reason then o'er thee her power resign, 
Nor hope to know thy destiny — thy source 
divine ? 



12 INVOCATION TO GENIUS. 

II. 

Waked into birth by Nature's kindly care, 

And from his silent slumbers roused to fill 
The measure of the soul, who shall declare 
The limits of that high, mysterious skill, 
That taught the noblest powers of mind 
distil 
From Nature's works their sweets, nor yet to 
find 
Throughout the valley, verdant plain, or hill, 

A spot whereon to rest in peace resigned, 
But yet must rove through all creation un- 
confine 

III. 

Such is the flight that Genius takes around 
The viewless regions of the boundless skies, 

That naught of sight remains unseen, or sound 
Unheard in all the lovely tones that rise 
In song, or scenes designed for mortal eyes ; 



INVOCATION TO GENIUS. 13 

But varied views and harmonies, combined 

By Nature's plastic hand, with glad surprise 
Do charm the finer feelings of the mind, 
And blend in that consistent piece, by heaven 
designed. 

IY. 

Borne on the ceaseless wings of time along, 
Like burning stars that shoot athwart the 
sky, 

Now seen to fall, and now his course prolong — 
Now to depart, yet ever linger nigh — 
Immortal Genius wings his way on high, 

While Reason's powers her brightest gems 
display, 
At first to shine, and then in darkness die : 

The vast extent of earth and air survey, 

Nor yet the laws of matter or of mind obey. 

Y. 

His ever kind regard, no favorite knows : 



14 INVOCATION TO GENIUS. 

The friend of all — of every art the pride — 
Alike on rich and poor his smile bestows, 
And gives to them the boon by wealth de- 
nied. 
To him imagination opens wide 

Her shining gates, and quick appears a scene 
With every sight, and sound, and sense sup- 
plied, 
Where gentle rivers roll the hills between, 
And shades and fragrant flowers adorn the 
vales of green. 

VI. 
From every grove her fairy forms arise 

Clothed in the beauties of eternal spring, 
While notes that swell the music of the skies 
Are borne aloft on every peaceful wing, 
And tuneful echoes make the valleys ring 
Responsive to the notes that now display 
Their merriment, and now their sorrows 
sing; 



INVOCATION TO GENIUS. 15 

All Fancy's image clothed in bright array, 
Like visions of ethereal bliss in endless day. 

VII. 

Yet ever onward down the vale of time, 

Beyond > the bounds where human vision 
soars, 
Imagination takes her flight sublime, 

And there the scenes of future years ex- 
plores ; 
While Genius, flying in her train, well stores 
The minds he loves with treasures of the 
field, 
And when returning backward, still adores 
The God that made the earth her flowers to 

yield, 
And opened wide the scenes to him alone 
revealed. 

VIII. 

"Nor only to the future doth he fly ; 



16 INVOCATION TO GENIUS. 

But backward goes to view the fleeting past, 

And see the long forgotten scenes that lie, 

By time's and dark oblivion's shade o'ercast, 

i 

When first the ocean flowed and earth stood 

fast! 
He owns no tyrant's sway and knows no 

home, 
But lives to be adored while time shall last, 
Whether he shines beneath the lofty dome, 
Or stands amid the ruins of eternal Eome ! 



IX. 

Nor pauses Genius here. He waits not time. 

Science receives his radiant flash of light, 
When first her sons essay the hill to climb, 
Like meteors bursting through the shades of 

night 
Whose fitful flashes serve their course to 
light, 
Along that rugged steep where few may go, 



INVOCATION TO GENIUS. 17 

Whose summit, once attained, gives pure 
delight 
To those assembled there ; while those below 
Look envious up and sigh for joys they can- 
not know. 

X. 

Nor yet alone does Science feel his power. 
Her handmaid — heavenly Art — by Genius 
led 
Triumphant, upward flies the lofty tower 
"Where sits perfection, on whose lovely head 
There rests a crown with glorious wreaths 
o'erspread, 
Composed of every verdant flower that grows 
In wood or vale, while Learning's light is 
shed 
On all the attributes herself compose ; 
To each imparts the light that Nature's works 
disclose. 
2* 



18 INVOCATION TO GENIUS. 

XL 

Beyond th' Atlantic's wave — the land of 
song — 
Where old republics stood in conscious 
pride ; 
There Genius held his godlike sway, and long 
Received the praise to prince and king de- 
nied. 
There Eloquence once held dominion wide, 
And Sculpture made the sleeping marble rise ; 
There Sappho dwelt, and Plato lived and 
died ; 
There Painting — art divine — -displayed a 

prize 
Might almost win to earth an angel from 
the skies. 

XII. 
Britannia's land has seen a Bacon rise 

Whose conquering genius triumphed o'er 
dismay, 



INVOCATION TO GENIUS. 19 

And Newton's giant mind explore the skies 

And teach the light its varied hues display : 

The one the deep recess of mind survey — 

Its subtle and mysterious march make known : 

The other teach what laws the spheres obey, 

While they revolve around the eternal 

zone : — 
Immortal spirits ! Genius claimed them for 
his own. 

XIII. 

Yet other climes have had their fav'rite few, 
Who sought the prize the child of Genius 
gains, 
And other times have seen them well pursue 
The trackless, rayless path that heaven 

ordains. 
'T was thus — oppressed with penury's gall- 
ing chains, 
While foaming waves in restless eddies 
whirled — 



20 INVOCATION TO" GENIUS. 

Columbus left his native hills and plains, 
And to the fitful breeze his sails unfurled, 
Far toward the setting sun, and found the 
Western world. 



XIV. 

On this fair land has Genius fixed his eyes : 
"What though her lovely sons have not dis- 
played 
The brightest gem that in her bosom lies ; 
Yet here are opening flowers that cannot 

fade. 
"What though nor rank, nor noble birth has 
made 
Them known to fame ; yet here shall they 
obtain 
The rich reward to worth and merit paid. 
Though void of patronage that kings ordain, 
Yet they shall live and shine in Freedom's 
happy reign. 



INVOCATION TO GENIUS. 21 



XV. 

Let Genius here his nobler powers display — 
With living laurels crown the Statesman's 
fame ; 
Let Liberty here shine with purest ray, 

And youthful Patriots guard the sacred 

flame ! 
Here let the Muse's deathless notes proclaim 
The beauty of the bright and glittering 
gems 
That shine around immortal Ftanldin's 
name, 
Till every tongue the ruthless hand con- 
temns 
That tears one wreath from off our nation's 
diadems. 

XVI. 

Let virtue's consecrated temple rise 
From its broad basis to the lofty spire ; 



22 INVOCATION TO GENIUS. 

Of Genius claim the holy sacrifice 

That love, and hope, and truth divine in- 
spire. 
Let folly, sin and crime in shame retire ; 
Let proud oppression meet his fearful doom, 

And hated vice with mournful sighs expire ; 
Let Freedom live the while in vernal bloom, 
And sing her solemn dirge around the Pat- 
riot's tomb ! 



THE SELF-DEVOTED 



%\t SMf-gtbM. 



Hail to the Patriot's fame ! — To virtue, hail ! 

All praise be due to pity's melting tear, 
And perished heroes mourn with deepest 
wail! 
With sorrow see the tyrant's power appear, 
His dark'ning spirit thirsting for revenge 
With appetite which time nor chance can 
change. 
Thrice hail to him unterrified by fear, 
And joyful be the land that gave him birth ; 
For there hath Nature placed the noblest pride 
of earth 



26 THE SELF-DEVOTED. 



II. 

Know ye the land such various tale can tell? 

Felt ye the Patriot's love and tyrant's hate, 
That on the hope of freedom mingled fell? 

Saw ye the dark'ning frowns of coming fate ? 
Or heard ye then the sympathetic sigh, 
And saw the tear that flowed at danger nigh ? 

O, mournful is the Muse that shall relate 
The sufferings and the perils of the brave, 
"Who sought and won the honors that survive 
the grave ! 

III. 

Long time the tearless host of haughty France 
Opposed trie march of England's dread 
array, 
When proud King Edward bade his force ad- 
vance, 
To seal the fate of that eventful day, 
To Calais, which so soon was doomed to bring 



THE SELF-DEVOTED. 21 

Defeat or triumph proud to Albion's king. 

To storm the town, in vain he might essay ; 
Her gates were strong — her battlements were 

high — 
Her everlasting watch-towers reached the 

vaulted sky ! 



IY. 

But yet for him no work too great appeared, 
Ko naming brands, nor poisoned darts he 
threw : 
"No arms prepared, nor mighty engines reared 
He then, to break the strong inclosures 
through ; 
For thought he not by force to win the day, 
But waited for, of time, the slow decay. 

To France a foe, but to his purpose true, 
Alike his care — unheard the battle's din — 
To heed the storm without, and watch the fire 
within. 



28 THE SELF-DEVOTED. 

Y. 

Before the town he placed his hostile band, 

With fosse and mound so strongly fortified, 
That all the host combined of Gallia's land, 

To raise the siege both long and vainly tried, 
Till famine's gnawing pains upon them came, 
And well-nigh perished then their deathless 
fame. 
But though their wasted forms in vain had 
died, 
Their spirits slumbered not within the grave : 
Each soul was thought to live and animate the 
brave ! 

VI. 

Thrice had the golden harvest graced the 
plain 

Since the victorious King the siege began ; 
Thrice had the sickle reaped the yellow grain, 

Since brave Yienne had led his warlike clan 



THE 8ELF-DEV0TED. 29 

Against the opposing foe. All Europe seemed 

Intent while bright opposing weapons gleamed. 

At length grim famine, wasting, man by 

man, 
His troops away, became to Albion's land 
A weapon stronger far than sword or battle 

brand ! 

VI L 

Each man, grown desperate now with long de- 
lay, 
With double vengeance armed himself for 
fight; 
Forth from the gates they came in full array, 
Their swords from out their scabbards flash- 
ing bright, 
And thirsting for the blood of foemen slain, 
Which they did imprecate might spread the 
plain. 
The conflict came, and bloody was the 
sight ; 



SO THE SELF-DEVOTED. 

Swift then the life-destroying weapons sped, 
And thick around were seen the dying and 
the dead. 



VIII. 

The battle o'er — their chief was captive 

made, 
And many brave were numbered with the 

slain. 
There 's no sepulchral tomb wherein they 're 

laid, 
In mingled heaps they 're buried on the 

plain. 
All who survived, within the walls retired, 
But Freedom's holy zeal had not expired, 
For brave men smile when foemen mock 

their pain. 
The light of peace they hardly hoped to see ; 
And, though in body bound, in spirit they 

were free ! 



THE SELF-DEVOTED. 31 

IX. 

The good St. Pierre, a man of humble birth, 

Who stood in virtue's walk exalted high, 
Who, not of gold, but merit, gained his worth, 
Whose soul than earth was fitter for the 
sky — 
The chief of this so patriotic band, 
Would fain capitulate to leave the land, 

And yield his foes the crown of victory, 
If England's monarch truly should declare 
The army might depart and breathe in free- 
dom's air. 

X. 

The king, with much pretended mercy filled, 
And breathing sighs of hypocritic grief 

For patriotic men so basely killed, 

In perjured pity, feigned to grant relief. 

He meditated long, when thus he spake : 

-' The mildest terms that can atonement make 



32 THE SELF-DEVOTED. 

For your rebellious acts, is for your chief 
To give six men of highest birth and rank, 
To expiate by death the blood your swords 
have drank." i 



XL 

The message came. Deep silence then ensued ; 
Quick every face was pale from sore dis- 
may, 
And consternation's wildest look pursued 

Them all, and ruled with undisputed sway. 
Each gazed on each — their eyes to heaven 

they raised — 
They cursed their chains — their God invoked 
and praised. 
From morn till night of that eventful day, 
Loud sighs were heard, and tears were seen to 

flow, 
While every look betrayed their deep, unut- 
tered woe ! 



THE SELF-DEVOTED. S3 

XII. 

At length St. Piekre the weeping throng ad- 
dressed : 

" My friends ! an awful crisis has arrived. 
Our wives so dear — our infants long ca- 
ressed — 

Shall they from us be torn, of life deprived ? 
Or must we, severing, quite, the social tie, 
Behold our daughters, robbed of virtue, die? 

Our sires from whom our being was derived, 
Our good preservers — our defenders brave — 
Shall we abandon to an ignominious grave ? 

XIII 

"JSTo! Heaven forbid ! O, never be it said, 
That we our fathers and our friends be- 
trayed ! 
A crown of glory waits the martyr's head, 

And willing let the sacrifice be made. 
What hope ! what dread alternative remains, 
3 



34 THE SELF-DEVOTED. 

Whereby we can escape the tyrant's chains ? 
Who stands in virtue's purest robes ar- 
rayed ? 
He who will yield himself a sacrifice, 
Shall be approved of God and angels when he 
dies ! " 

XIV. 

He ceased, and there was heard a stifled sigh ; 

A fearful silence then pervaded all ; 
Each looked around for those self-doomed to 
die — 

For those resolved to save their country's 

fall! 
St. Pieeee the theme resumed : " The honor 

great, 
To be the first to meet a martyr's fate, 

'T were base to claim ; and baser still, to call 
For victims who the pains of death defy, 
While I should seek to live, or meanly fear to 

die! 



THE SELF-DEVOTED. 35 



XY. 

" I freely give myself a sacrifice ! 

Who next will come ? " " Your son," a youth 
replied, 
And with unwonted glory beamed his eyes. 
" My godlike child ! Twice, twice shall I 
have died ! 
But no ! I shall have twice begotten thee, 
For thou art born the child of Liberty. 

Thy years are few, but full ! " the father 
cried, 
"For virtue's self has reached her utmost goal, 
When she has gained the high perfection of 
the soul. 

XYI. 

u Who next, to die for country will rejoice ? " 

" Your kinsman ! " was the loud, emphatic 

cry. 
" Who next % " " Your kinsman ! " cried a 



manly voice. 



36 THE SELF-DEVOTED. 

" Who next ? " " Your kinsman ! " was the 
quick reply. 

One more was claimed for sacrifice complete — 

Loud cries — (as if an echo did repeat ) — 
Were heard, and thousand voices rose on 
high — 

And when from these a choice by lot was 
made, 

The self-devoted band were all in chains ar- 
rayed. 

XVI L 

Barefoot they walked with ropes their necks 
about, 
And to Sir Walter, then, the keys they 
gave; 
The gates were opened and their friends came 
out 
Who wept their fate, and mourned, but 
could not save. 
Of those they begged to take their last farewell; 



THE SELF-DEVOTED. 37 

And O, such parting scene, what tongue can 
tell! 
What mercy calm affliction's burning wave ? 

They clung around — embraced — and pros- 
trate fell : 

They groaned — they wept aloud — and, hope- 
less, sighed farewell ! 

XYIII. 

Throughout the English camp their groans 
were heard, 
And tidings came of what in Calais passed. 
Deep sighs of pity followed every word, 

And flowed their burning tears of sorrow fast. 
The proud, victorious band a feast prepared, 
And gave, of which the famished army shared. 

Of brave and self-devoted friends, at last, 
They took their leave, and homeward sped 

that day, 
Foes giving all the food their strength could 
bear away. 



38 THE SELF-DEVOTED. 

XIX. 

The brave St. Pierre and fellow-victims 
came : 
Sir "Walter led them to the vengeful king. 
From out their tents came all of English 
name, 
To praise the courage and the love that 
bring 
The mental power on death could smiling 

gaze, 
Nor seem elate to hear the highest praise, 

Nor fear to feel the monarch-archer's sting. 
The iron chains the doomed heroes bore 
Were nobler diadems than ever sovereign wore. 

XX. 

When they his presence reached, the monarch 
spake : 
"Are these, Sir Walter, the chief men of 
Calais ? 



THE SELF-DEVOTED. 39 

And did the people uo resistance make ? " 
" Chief of the world ! my Liege, not Edward's 

palace — 
If virtuous acts ennoble aught the soul — 
E'er had the man within its proud control, 
Who could like these partake the poisoned 

chalice. 
They 're self-devoted — ■ self-delivered — brave ! 
Who've nobly lived and proudly seek the 

martyr's grave. 

XXL 

The king his angry thoughts full well concealed 
When thus he feigned to speak his quiet 
mind : 
" Experience has to me the truth revealed, 
That mercy not with safety is combined. 
While lenity to foes doth crimes invite, 
One bold example strikes them with affright. 
I would that mercy's prayer a place could 
find 



40 THE SELF-DEVOTED. 

Within my heart ; then, " Live ! " should be 

my cry ; 
But no ! stern Justice speaks : " Go, lead 

these men to die ! " 

XXII. 

The whispering breeze, that now was floating 

by, 

The silken folds bore on its trembling 
wings 
Of victory's banner, and the purple sky 

Frowned on the haughtiest of conquering 
kings. 
Triumph was aiding in his curtained car : 
Success had led the chariot- wheels of war, 
And all the joys that brilliant conquest 
brings 
Flushed the fair face and fired the tranquil 

gaze 
Of Albion's Queen, approaching, crowned witli 
royal bays. 



THE SELF-DEVOTED. 41 

XXIII. 

Now sounds of triumph rang throughout the 
camp ; 
Phillippa came, and led a gallant band ; 
Of warlike steeds was heard the hasty tramp, 
As hither came the flower of her proud 
land. 
Sir Walter flew the approaching Queen to 

meet, 
To her the mournful story to repeat. 

She sought her king — she fell and clasped 
his hands — 
She clung like tender vine upon the oak, 
Then sighed aloud — for mercy prayed — and, 
weeping, spoke : 

XXIY. 

" 5 T is not to those who rear the yellow grain, 
Or those but skilled in some mechanic art ; 
Nor those who lead the flocks upon the plain, 
3* 



4:2 THE SELF-DEVOTED. 

That I would freedom give or life impart. 

Think you, my Liege, your foes you've doomed 
to death ? 

Themselves they've doomed with one united 
breath. 
Not love for them alone has touched my 
heart ; 

But love for thee, my Edward dear, my 
king! 

Spare them ! I '11 deck your brows with ever- 
greens of spring. 

XX Y. 

"For if they die, 'tis by command thine own ; 

Nor would the royal word be then obeyed. 
As you regard the honor of your throne, 

Now let your will and vengeful arm be 
stayed. 
Let not our country feel disgrace upon her : 
The stage of death, to them 's a stage of honor. 

On Edward's name let not a blot be made ; 



THE SELF-DEVOTED. 43 

This act would stain his conquests deep with 

shame, 
And give to them the stamp of everlasting fame ! 

XXVI. 

" We cannot take from them the honor great, 
Which they by death so nobly did intend ; 
But this, O help them not to consummate, 

And to our country's shame such aid to lend. 
But pardon them, and send with gifts away, 
And this will be a long remembered day : 

Thereby defeat what ever will attend, 
That those who bravely die in virtue's cause, 
Will carry to their graves the people's loud 
applause." 

XXVII. 

" You have prevailed, and be it so ; " replied 
The king. "Now let them be before us 
brought, 
As kinsmen — friends to us by blood allied — 



4:4: THE SELF-DEVOTED. 

And quick dispel the sorrows we have 
wrought." 

They came, and thus the queen her speech 
resumed : 

" Natives of France ! — by wasting grief con- 
sumed — 
Forgive my king the ruin he has sought. 

Although with us a wicked war you Ve made, 

"We see your virtues bright — your errors in 
the shade. 

XXVIII. 

"We snatch you from the scaffold — loose 
your chains, 
And bid you to your friends and kindred go ; 
And while to you the gift of life remains, 
Cease not to us your gratitude to show. 
We're bound to you with more endearing 

ties, 
Since you would die a willing sacrifice. 
Take ye the gifts that Edward will bestow : 



THE SELF-DEVOTED. 45 

For fame, proud rivals ; but to virtue, friends ; 
High honors shall await when death your be- 
ing ends." 

XXIX. 

" My God ! my blissful hope ! " — exclaimed 
St. Pierre ; 
u Is this an angel that before me stands ? 
And are the gates of heaven unfolding here ? — 
Proud England's Queen ! — I wait for your 
commands. 
But O, my country ! — now I fear for thee ; 
The dangers that await, methinks I see. 

But mayst thou ever stand with guiltless 
hands ! 
How bright to me the truth this day imparts, 
That Edward conquers cities, but Phillippa, 
hearts." 

XXX. 

Away, with light and joyous tread, they flew 



46 the self-devoted. 

To meet their friends, who left them doomed 
to die ! 
Soft every sound and pleasant every view 
That meet the wondering ear and weeping 
eye. f 

Than mourning then, scarce now their joy is 



They praise their God and their deliverer 

bless. 
They meet — embrace — exchange a joyous 

sigh ; 
For mercy sweet — blest attribute of heaven — 
Had touched the conqueror's heart, and they 

were all forgiven. 



NOTES 



Edward III. of England. 
Phillippa, the Queen. 

Count Vienne, Commander of the fortress of Calais. 
Eustace St. Pierre, successor to Count Vienne. 
Sir Walter Manney, the messenger sent by Edward to 
offer terms of capitulation. 



THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 



% fofos of % fakes. 



i. 

" Let there be light ! " — said Nature's King, God *• L ° ve - 

And angels flew with instant wing, 

And fanned to flame the burnished sun, 

And lit the stars, " and it was done." 

" Let there be love ! " — hath said no voice, 

Yet every being doth rejoice 

That sweetest smiles and softest sighs 

Are born of love's celestial eyes. 

Love is, and was before was light, 

And claims her as his daughter bright, 

Father of all that's pure above, 

For He that made the light is love. 



50 THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 



II. 

vadls p aif Not living things alone do feel 

things. 

The flame, for .Nature's works reveal 

The passion in the trees and flowers, 

In light and shade, in dews and showers ; 

In sparklings of the little rill, 

And features of the laughing hill ; 

In twinklings of the distant stars, 

And in the smiles of crystal spars, 

That gem the bosom of the earth ; 

In every form of matter's birth, 

In lake and stream, in hill and plain, 

And in the flowings of the main, 

And curlings of the fleecy clouds 

That deck the hills in snowy shrouds ; 

In ocean's waves, all sparkling bright, 

That woo to love the queen of Night. 

III. 

foTiSde. O solitude! where'er thy home, 



THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 



51 



There Nature's faithful lovers come, 
And breathe their passions in the breeze 
That sighs among the whispering tr as 
And mnrmurings of the waterfall ; 
And echo, answering to the call 
Of voices from the gladsome shade, 
All tell of loves that God hath made. 



IV. 

There lived a maiden Valley, bright 
In youthful beauty, and the light 
That kindled up her smiling face, 
And her new robes of green, a grace 
Had given to win the softest air, 
To sport with curls of golden hair, 
That careless o'er her bosom hung, 
And such enchanting beauty flung 
Around her neck, that bashful stood 
The Clouds above the lofty wood, 
And looking on her virgin-form 
Politely stayed the coming storm. 



A beautiful 
valley. 



The clouds, 
sUJck with 
her beauty, 
withhold the 



The hil 1 * and 
mounta : ns 
enaa ored of 
her. 



52 THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 

V. 

Then op'ed their eyes the Hills and Moun- 
tains, 

And weeping from intense deligh't, 
Their sobs awoke the silver Fountains 

That sparkled on their cheeks like light. 
They saw the form that near them lay — 

So ravishing her beauty seemed, 

Around her such a glory gleamed, 
They thought she was the queen of May. 
They would have fallen at her feet, 
And bade the Zephyr's voice repeat 
The sweetest sighs and songs of love 
That beauty could to. passion move ; 
But she, with waving of her hand, 
And eye uplifting, bade them stand. 



VI. 

a lofty hiii A n d while they stood, a goodly throng 

serenades her •/ ' c5 •/ O 

with music of , 

birds - As ever wooed a beauteous maid, 



THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 



53 



A noble Hill beneath the shade 
Had gathered all the birds of song 

To give his love a serenade ; 
And as the music swelled among 
His brother Hills, they raised their ears, 
And listened to the charming sound, 
As echo bore the notes around, 
So sweetly wild and softly sharp, 
Some swore the Yalley played the harp, 
Some thought it "music of the spheres." 



YIL 

The Yalley caught with willing ear 

The chastened song of serious love, 
And answering with a humble tear, 

She turned her trusting eyes above, 
And thus her young affections blessed 

The loftiest of the lofty Hills, 
And he his lovely one caressed 

"With music of the murmuring Kills ; 



The valley re 
turns his love, 
atidtueiruup- 
tials are cele- 
brated amidst 
the music of 
nature. 



54 THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 

Their mutual vows in silence breathed, 
Their brows with bridal chaplets wreathed ; 
The Clouds that had their secret kept, 
Retired behind the Hills, and wept ; 
As Hymen caught the youthful pair, 
In meshes of his silken snare, 
The Sun cast in his golden tide — 
Beheld the joining of their hands, 
And Nature gave a dower of lands, 
And Dews of evening kissed the bride* 



YIII. 

Sngbridai Bright Summer brought them smiling skies 
And garlands of the sweetest flowers ; 
The Clouds gave soft refreshing showers 
Pure as the drops from angels 5 eyes ; 
Fruits ripe and mellow Autumn bore, 
And sparkling wines illumed their store ; 
While Winter lent them robes of white, 
And Luna was their lamp at night ; 



gifts, 



THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 55 

Spring caused their frozen tears to now, 

Some were of joy, and some of woe ; 

Torn were their whitened robes away : 
The Mountain rugged seemed and old, 
His features rough with "Winter's cold : 
The Yalley wore a calmer face 
And something of a matron grace 
She had, yet moved with strange emotion, 

While, resting on her bosom, lay, 
And peaceful as an infant ocean, 

A sleeping Lake of purest water — An infant 

r & r lake is torn. 

Sweet pledge of love, their beauteous daugh- 
ter. 

IX. 

By mountain Eivulets she was fed, 
And gape the skies their softest dew; 

The tears of Night for her were shed, 
And passing fair her beauty grew ; 

She loved the torrent and the flood ; 
She fountains drank that never failed 



56 THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 

And when she grew to womanhood, 
Our lady was Supeeiok hailed ! 



Her fame 

spreads 

abroad. 



The rivers de- 
clare war 
asrainst the 
hills. 



X. 

Her fame beyond the Mountains flew : 

The Kivers learned her name, and praised. 
And long desired her form to view, 

But Hills opposing barriers raised. 
Then like the brave and valiant knight 
Who proves his courage in the fight, 
The Kivers boldly war declared, 
And for the conflict all prepared : 
They summoned all the little Hills 

To join them in their bold crusade 
Against the horde of haughty Hills ; 

The Gulfs to deepen they were bade, 
Till, with the Storms and Wat#tfalls 
Themselves could undermine the walls. 



XI. 

Piecemeal, the battlements were worn 
Away, while here a turret fell, 



THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 57 



There from its bed a rock was torn ; 

The "Waters, with a desperate swell, weKpf the 



The hills arc- 
overcome, 
and the rivers 

bear the 



mountains 
and lay it at 



O'erleaped their empire's ancient bound, the feet ofth* 

x x 7 LadySupe- 

And through the heights a passage found ; 
Then rolling on, their bosoms bore 
The wealth of all the mountain-store, 
The richest gems of dazzling sheen, 
And verdure of the gayest green, 
And fruits perfumed with odors sweet, 
And laid them at their mistress' feet. 

XII. 

At this she seemed somewhat confused ; The Lady* 

modesty. 

A crimson blush her cheek suffused, 
And fain would she avoid their eyes ; 
But when on her a glance they threw, 
Her smiles gave back their image true 
With deep, but unrepenting sighs. 
They crowned her with the wreaths they 

brought, 
Of evergreens unfading wrought ; 
4 



58 



THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 



The rivers 
pledge their 
love. 



Birth of two 
lakes. 



They swore she was their life, their light, 
The source from whence they gained their 

might ; 
For her they made the Hills unfold 
Their precious stores of gems and gold, 
And vainly sought their faith to prove : 
Would she not hear their tale of love? 
She listened to their wanton song ; 
She listened oft and listened long : 
Their loves illicit, virtue wept, 
While all the earth deep mourning kept. 
That hour ! of vice the fated morn, 
Gave sad forebodings of the day, 
When, all her honor swept away, 
To her two infant Lakes were born. 



XIII. 

JJeir natures The youths grew up to man's estate, 

similar. 

Not greatly good, but nobly great ; 
And if unlike their natures seemed, 



THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 59 

It was not that for worldly good 
The manly virtues of the Flood 
Had been by them unworthy deemed. 



XIY. 

One solitary grew and gay, £$&&■£,• 

And to the forest bent his way ; 

Just like a bachelor he sung, 

" I 'm thirty, handsome, rich and young : 

If, when I 'm forty, fair to view, 

And beautiful the maid shall be, 
I'll search the world around, and woo 

The fairest lady of the Sea." 
His form he decked with flowers around — 
His head with Green-Bay laurels crowned ; 
Time came and furrowed deep his brow, 

His whiskers singed and stole his hair, 
And he is old and altered now, 

Once Michigan, the young and fair. 



Huron, the 
warrioi.was 
a virgin lake. 



Her char- 
acter and 
beauty. 



60 THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 

XV. 

The other grew a warrior, and 

For very love of war's commotion, 
He sought to conquer all the land, 

And make himself a mighty ocean. 
"With courage fearful and sublime, 

Yet feelings and affections warm, 
He dared the highest hills to climb, 

And claim alliance with the Storm. 
As on he rushed, all sparkling bright 
With foam, and crest of snowy white. 
That told him conscious of his might, 

A modest maiden met his view, 
All lovely in her virgin-pride — 

He saw — he loved, and soon did woo 
The lady to become his bride. 

XYI. 

She was a pious little dame, 
"With glossy hair and sparkling eyes, 



THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 61 

And beauty, though unknown to fame, 

Had claimed her as her dearest prize. 
The cascades of the shining streams 

That leaped upon her bosom, seemed 
Like bracelets on her arms, as beams 

Of silver moonlight on them gleamed : — 
The springs that from the mountain's side 

Fell on her brow so bright and fair, 
Gave back her smiles with twinkling pride, 

Like diamonds sparkling in her hair : 
The vail that fell around her feet, 

"Wove of the clouds' ethereal part, 
Her bosom's quick elastic beat 

Betokened her the pure in heart. 



XVII. 

The sun had sunk in triumph down, 
As dies the warrior on the field 
Of glory, and a burnished shield 
Of clouds reflected back the frown 
Of Night, who held with silken ties 



62 THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 

vRUsmllf}' The crimson curtains of the skies ; 

and Huron 

weds Lady "j^e moon was up, and shone her light 
Full brightly on the festal night ; 
The guests assembled from the woods, 
Made merry with the merry floods j 

" The hills were joyful " at the sight, 
On tip-toe stood the cloudy lands, 
And raised to heaven their snowy hands, 

And bathed them in its silver light ; 
"Floods clapped their hands" with noisy 
mirth ; 

The mermaids rose and combed their hair ; 
The hills gave many a fountain birth, 

And birds with music filled the air ; 
The water-nymphs, with strings of pearl, 

Appeared from every hallowed spring ; 

The fairies gathered in a ring, 
And nimbly danced with dizzy whirl ; 

So passed away the joyous night ; 
So bright the circle of the fair — 

So jocund was the nuptial rite 
When Huron wedded Lady Glair. 



THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 63 



XVIII. 

A very honest life they led, 

For though they were too proud to labor, 
They, as it often has been said, 

Were never known to cheat a neighbor. 
Some taxes from the country round 

They got — from debt were always free ; 
For preaching never gave a pound, 

But N paid a tribute to the sea. 
They caught no colds when came a thaw, 

And had no notion of a doctor ; 
And as they never went to law, 

They knew not advocate or proctor. 
They were not very fond of schools, 

Yet had some gleamings bright of knowl- 
edge, 
Derived to them by unknown rules, 

For sure they never went to college. 
They valued much their mental health, 
Their moral and their social wealth ; 



64 THE LOVES CF THE LAKES. 

Relations new had made them rich, 
Or poor — "unknown exactly which ; 
The sun dissolved their robes of white, 
Destroyed their frozen charms, and bright 
Aurora led the morning on, i 

When spring called forth their swollen tide 
And they, with fond parental pride, 
Embraced a daughter and a son. 



XIX. 

ESi?Ed The harp of Erie's softened tone 

makes avow 

ot celibacy. Q^ gweetest mus i c to ^ ear 

When o'er its silver strings were thrown 
The touches of the lightest finger, 
And music made the waters linger, 
And give to her a hallowed tear ; 
And vows of love were vainly made, 
For like a vestal she arrayed 
Herself in robes of fringed green, 
And vowed to live a "maiden queen." 



THE LOVES OF THE LAKES. 



65 



XX. 

Ontario struck a sterner lyre : 

No soft emotions did he feel, 
But in his bosom burned the fire 

Of conquest, and the crimson steel 
Gave him a more entranced delight 
Than looks of love from " ladies bright ; " 
He would have conquered all the land 

And with the ocean made alliance, 
But powers of Nature formed a band, 

And met him with a bold defiance : 
And where Niagara's voice doth raise 
To heaven sublimest songs of praise, 
They set the everlasting rock, 
His ineffectual power to mock, 
And on its long enduring piers, 

Uprising from th' abyss below, 

They raised to heaven the golden bow, 
A sign of peace for countless years. 
4* 



Ontario is a 
warrior, am- 
bitious of 
conquests. 



Powers of 
Nature arrest 
his progress. 



0*»I tytUty. 



There is a beauty of the outward form, 
And of the inward thought. Nature hath bent 
The rivers into gentle windings — sent 
The trees in lofty columns up, and clothed 
Their branching arms with strength ; their 

fingers tipped 
With leaves, to fan the cooling air that breathes 
Upon them life and vigor. "Who shall tell 
The unwritten thoughts which swell the soul, 

when paints 
The sun the glory of the flowers that deck 
The plain ? How drinks the eye the hues of 

light 
That tint the bud and each unfolding leaf 
With lines the pencil may not imitate ? 



68 MORAL BEAUTY. 

All beautiful are these ; and beautiful 
And fair are all the forms that God hath made. 
But fairest of the forms of earth are those, 
The beings made the image of himself. 
Man's beauty is not of external form 
Alone ; for God himself no outward shape 
Hath taken. But the soul, th' immortal part, 
The sparkling of divinity within, 
According as its aspirations are 
For high and holy things, or base and low, 
Gives him a nobler or a meaner look. 
His outward acts affect his inward thoughts ; 
For, as a sainted bard hath truly sung : 
" Even from the body's purity, the mind 
Eeceives a secret, sympathetic aid." 

Does moral beauty, then, the fairer make 
The personal ? The smile of woman is, 
Than man's more bright, and purer in her love. 
"Who asks the cause? She was not found 
among 



MORAL BEAUTY. 69 

The crowd that scourged and crowned with 

thorns the Son 
Of man. She followed Jesns as her Lord, 
And poured the precious ointment on his head ; 
His feet perfumed with holy oil, and wiped 
Them with her hair. For this was woman 

blessed. 
Jesus raised from the dead the widow's son ; 
And Martha blessed him that he called to life 
Her brother. She that touched his garment's 

hem 
Was healed. And when the dews of evening 

fell, 
The latest eye that gazed upon the cross 
Where died the world's [Redeemer, and the 

first, 
When morning light appeared, that saw his 

grave, 
Was woman's. She, with balm and spices, 

sought 
Him at the tomb, and wept her Saviour's death. 



70 MORAL BEAUTY. 

This is the history of woman's love 
And beauty. She has ever been the hope 
Of the afflicted, and distress looks not 
In vain to her for help. She has been found 
The minister of comfort and of peace. 
That she may ever bless the world with love, 
Shall be the hope of him, whose trust in her 
The inspiration gave that woke these thoughts. 



% SffJrb. 



"See to your book : let it be 

An index to your life — each page be pure , 
By vanity unclouded, and by vice 
Unspotted. Cheerful be each modest leaf, 
Not rude ; and pious be each written page. 
Without hypocrisy, be it devout : 
Without moroseness, be it serious ; 
If sportive, innocent ; and if a tear 
Blot its whole margin, let it drop for those 
Whose wickedness needs pity more than hate. 
Hate no one — hate their vices, not themselves. 
Spare many leaves for charity — that flower, 
That, better than the rose's first white bud, 
Becomes a woman's bosom. There we seek, 
And there we find it first. Such be your book, 

And such always may you be." 

Brainard. 



Ltfe is a book of many pages — writ 
In characters that shall endure : and they 
"Who trace upon its leaves of purest white, 
Signs visible to human eyes, should keep 
The record free from stain or blot, nor let 
A passage there be found, that is not well 
Approved of conscience and the laws of truth. 
But lines there may be, far too faint for sight 



72 A BOOK. 

Of men, by wisdom or by folly traced ; 

For all the nicer shades of sentiment, 

Of thought and feeling — fears of coming ill, * 

Or hopes of future good — are written plain. 

And, though invisible to human eyes, 

Are legible to the all-seeing One. 

A Book ! — It is a name of doubtful import. 
It may be good, or bad ; or mixed of both, 
And party-colored as the rainbow's hues. 
O that its sacred name were not abused, 
Nor darkened chapters in it found ; but like 
The elements combined, of that bright bow 
Of promise, it were ever pure and light. 
Though its exterior form be fair, and bright 
The symbols that convey its inward thoughts, 
And though its index point to highest themes, 
And golden letters print its title-page, 
Composed of vanity may be the tale 
It tells, and spotted vice may mar its leaves ; 
For e'en the silken folds that dress it up 



A BOOK. 73 

In beauty, may a wicked word or thought 
Conceal. "Whether in high or humble strains 
It speak, let it be pure. For greatest minds 
Are worst, if virtue finds not in them friends. 
But intellects obscure shall be approved 
Of heaven, and honored be the page that 

breathes, 
Though rudely wrought its outer garments 

are, 
Of virtue, truth, fidelity and love. 
"Whatever tales the book of human life 
May tell, let cheerful piety breathe through 
Them all, and smiles of holy joy illume 
"What else were dark and of a gloomy shade. 
"With innocence let sweet amusement flow, 
And modest worth preside o'er every line. 

"Who that would always wish for sunny skies ? 
Or who, enjoying them, would ever know 
The beauty of the rain-drop's crystal smile? 
Pure is the look of light in summer's noon ; 



74 A BOOK. 

But purer is the dew-drop's morning face, 
And purer still, and holier far, the tear 
That falls, if sweet affection bids it flow. 
Let Pity claim a kindred drop from those 
"Whose deep emotions swell the fount of love. 

If in that volume there are pages, more 
Than others bright, go read their contents 

through, 
And of the social feelings speak the praise. 
The air they breathe, with sympathy is sweet ; 
They go with Charity to light the hearth 
"Where rises, night and morn, the widow's 

prayer ; 
The child of want they never can forget — 
The homeless daughter, or the orphan boy. 

Where burn these feelings brightest? lie 
that knows 
The depth of woman's love, can answer this. 
And when does she, of those deep feelings, show 



A BOOK. 75 

The loveliest, purest, best ? 'T is when she gives 
Her heart to be another's, trusting all 
To him that finds in her his highest joy. 
As when, with her baptismal vow, she gave 
Her soul to heaven, she gives her love to him, 
"With high and holy trust that shall not fail. 
Help him, angels of love, the precious boon 
To keep, and make him worthy of the gift. 
Their mutual faith, may virtue's power protect 7 
And Hope to happiness shall lead the way : 
And Truth shall write the story of their joys, 
And it shall be the Book of Human Life. 

Another Book there is, " The Book of books;" 
A Book to Yirtue's friends forever dear, 
And dearest when the pledge affection gives. 
Let it an index be to point the way 
To the bright pages of the " Book of Life," 
And its sublime and holy teachings prove 
A guide and monitor to make this life 
A preparation for the Life to come. 



%\t ^tutlyS'UuL 



Pro Aris et Focis. — Cicero. 

Deep in the solitude 
Of the darkened wood, 
Where never hut had stood, 

With hammer alone, 
Fast by a ledge of rocks, 
A man of youthful locks, 
With oft repeated knocks, 

Had shaped a hearth-stone. 

With trunks of trees, he there, 
In rudely measured square, 
Built up a cottage where 

She he loved would come : 
With lusty arm and lone, 



78 THE HEARTH-STONE. 

He raised and bore the stone, 
"While Hope alone looked on, 
To his rustic home. 

Tears have passed away ; 
'T is a bright morn in May ; 
Children are at play — 

A daughter and son. 
A happy home is there, 
And the bright altar, where 
Uprise both praise and prayer, 

Is the old hearth-stone. 

Day swiftly follows day ; 
The world calls them away — 
Those children at their play — 

Sister and brother. 
Far, far away they roam, 
But back to blessings come, 
To happy hearth and home, 

For father, mother. 



THE HEARTH-STONE. 79 

Another year has fled, 
And one of these is dead ; 
For him a prayer is said, 

Each day returning : 
The other, aged grown, 
"With widowed heart, alone, 
Upon the old hearth-stone 

Keeps love's light burning. 

And there, by day or night, 
That flame of holiest light 
She watcheth sweetly bright, 

And will not falter ; 
O God ! such love that gave, 
When she is in the grave, 
That ancient hearth-stone save ! 

It is thine Altar. 



ADDRESS 

Spfeen at t\t jopawjj 0f % §ttffal0 f tyaier, 

JUNE 22, 1835. 



Hail to thee, City ! — the home of the free ! 
Come thou, the child of the Drama to 
greet, 
Hail to thy children as well as to thee ! — 
The child of the Drama, they joyous shall 
meet. 

Ye, who have listened to the son of song, 
While oft with angel-touch he swept the 
lyre; 
Ye, who of music would the notes prolong, 
5 



82 ADDRESS. 

Or feel the flame that Genius may inspire ; 
Ye, who would praise the arts divine, that 

make 
The lifeless marble into being wake, 
And to the canvas rude, the hues impart, 
That bid to life the form of beauty start — 
Let nobler sentiments your minds engage — 
Salute ye now the Genius of the Stage ! 
The Drama comes, we trust, a welcome 

guest, 
And owns your home the Mistress of the 

West. 
Alive to finer feelings of the soul, 
Let Genius now your willing hearts control. 
And here may virtue's purest spirit breathe 
On him whose brow the laurels love to 

wreathe. 
Let sympathy, with sweet amusement flow, 
To cheer, with blissful hopes, the heirs of 

woe. 
Let Charity, the child of heaven, descend — 



ADDRESS. 83 

In him she '11 find a brother and a friend. 
The orphan's grief he soothes with accents 

mild, 
While yet he owns himself a joyless child. 

O'er all the world is Genius doomed to 

roam — 
With thee, fair City, may he find a home. 
He chose thee, from the little and the great, 
The fairest daughter of the " Empire State." 
Though here no gods of Love or Hymen 

dwell, 
Of which the Bard's impassioned verse may 

tell, 
Yet here, a lofty Spirit hath appeared, 
Whose mighty genius bright improvements 

reared, 
And bade a sterner love its fires awake, 
When Neptune wooed the " Lady of the 

Lake." 
Full many a generous heart, hath cradled 

Erie's wave ; 



84 ADDRESS. 

Full many an honored tomb, hath given to 
the brave ! 

No higher praise is due to England's fame — 
No brighter honors crown her Nelson's 

name, 
Than were bestowed upon our country's 

powers, 
When Perry met the foe and made them 

" ours ! " 
May thus a poet rise, of envied name, 
And emulate the Bard of Avon's fame. 
Then may he sing the glories of the mighty 

slain ! 
Of those who lie entombed on Chipp'wa's 

battle-field ; 
And those who, fighting, died, while notes 

of thunder pealed 
Their funeral dirge at Queenston Heights and 

Lundy's Lane ! 



ADDRESS. 85 

Know ye, of old the morning stars together 
sung ? 
Heard ye the wildly rapturous music of the 

spheres ? 
Then listen to the notes that swell through 
endless years, 
Like gravest sounds harmonious lisped from 

angel's tongue ! 
Thy voice, O great Niagara, hath such music 
made : 
Thy solemn tones remain unaltered yet by 

time ; 
Then roll thou on, in might and majesty 
sublime — 
For Nature loves thy everlasting serenade ! 

These are the themes to swell the poet's 

song — 
These to the Drama and the Muse belong. 
When they shall bid the slumbering mind 

awake, 



86 ADDRESS. 

Then, every valley, mountain, wood and 

lake, 
Arrayed in foliage dark, or living green, 
Shall start to life, and animate the scene. 
Then Nature, with her splendid panorama, 
Will lend her thousand charms to grace the 

Drama ! 



THE HERO OF THE PLAGUE. 



%\t Jifo of i\t jpiagne. 



i. 

Awake, ye finer feelings of the soul ! 

Love, friendship, hope, and soft affection, 
wake ! 
Arise, ye finer passions that control 

The hardened hearts yourselves alone can 
make : 
Come, then, the maniac's look of wild despair, 
And madman with the form that demons wear ; 
Come, misanthropic foes, and strive to break 
The tender ties of Nature's love, that bind 
The father to his child, with cords by heaven 
designed. 
5* 



90 THE HERO OF THE PLAGUE. 

II. 

Let cowardice, with fainting heart, appear, 
And strive to fright the hero-band ,away ; 
And let the traitor, moved by slavish fear, 

Give up his country's rights, to foes a prey. 
Let then approach wild Famine's meager form, 
While gathering clouds and pestilence and 
storm, 
With frightful shade obscure the face of 
day: 
Can all combined dry up affliction's tear, 
Or check the sighs that fall from Pity's soul 
sincere ? 

III. 

What though perverted friendship put on hate, 
And purest flame of love to loathing turn, 

While Fancy's brightest visions all create 
The deepest woes that unconsuming burn 

Within the secret chambers of the mind, 



THE HEEO OF THE PLAGUE. 91 

Like wasting fires in caves of earth confined ; 
Yet Friendship, Love, and heavenly Hope 

return, 
And all unite with softest hand to raise 
The sinking soul, nor claim the empty meed 

of praise. 

IV. 

Ask ye where such example can be found ? 

'T is in a land upon whose desert plain 
What time were heard the melancholy sound 

Of woe, and cries of life-dissolving pain, 
A proud and heaven-defying city stood ; 
Where high and low — the evil and the good, 

Alike in desolation did remain ; 
On all deep lines of terror were portrayed : 
All mourned alike the ravages the plague had 
made. 

V. 

With respiration quick and glaring sight, 



92 THE HERO OF THE PLAGUE. 

"With creeping chills and fever's burning 
heat, 
And thirst, and sickened heart, the man of 
might , 

Was seized, and throbbed his brain with 
maddened beat : 
With weakened body and more weakened 

mind, 
To fear and dark despair himself resigned, 

A welcome grave he laid him down to meet. 
When dead, his tainted clothes the living wore, 
Which other men would wear when they 
should be no more. 



VI. 

i fal 
turned. 



The child from father — mother — loathing 



While parents left their little ones to die. 
With gratitude their hearts no longer burned, 

And sundered quite was every social tie. 
No word of sympathetic feeling spoken — 



THE HERO OF THE PLAGUE. 93 

Each felt affection's strongest bond was bro- 
ken — 
The dying groan was heard and mournful 
sigh : 

ISTone thought to leave the couch whereon he 
lay, 

JSTor hoped to view the brightness of the com- 
ing day. 

VIL 

Pale cowardice heard not th' indignant tone 

Of censure, and no generous feeling knew ; 
The city had a lonely desert grown, 

In every street the grass unwonted grew. 
Of every trade and art, was hushed the sound, 
All action died, and stillness reigned pro- 
found. 
One thing alone disturbed th' unchanging 
view : 
It was a sight more gloomy far than all — 
At every turn the eye beheld a fun'ral pall ! 



94 THE HERO OF THE PLAGUE. 



VII L 

But great as were the labors of the bier, 

They were unequal to the works of death. 
So vast his conquests, cowards ceased to fear : 
To all — the timid and the brave — the 
breath 
Of pestilence its rank infection brought, 
And ignorance and superstition thought 

It was the curse of God : — so little faith 
Had they in him — so little hope of heaven, 
That many died without one prayer to be for- 
given. 

IX. 

To save from death, no sign of hope ap- 
peared : 
In grave assemblage the physicians came, 
And consultation held. Each one revered 
The thoughts that fell from him of humblest 
name : 



THE HERO OF THE PLAGUE. 95 

They paused and long deliberation gave, 
To save their friends and kindred from the 
grave ! 
There was the prize of everlasting fame, 
For him to gain whose soul was soaring high : 
It was the glorious prize of immortality ! 

X. 

The plague mysterious character possessed : — 
Its cure, 't was hoped, dissection might dis- 
close. 
But who that work of danger could divest ? 

The operator soon his life must close. 
'T were all in vain for him to hope to live, 
Since no physician could an opiate give. 
Deep silence came from which no voice 
arose ; 
And many, but for friends, had on that day, 
A passport sought to guide them on their 
heavenly way. 



96 THE HERO OF THE PLAGUE. 



XL 

But one of manly beauty rose and said : 
" Can I relieve the dying ? — Be it so ! 
Let me be numbered with the glorious dead : 

What I discover let my country know. 
Here by religion's sacred name I swear — 
By all that 's dear to me in life declare, 
That ere to-morrow's sun his light shall 
show, 
I will dissect a corpse with careful hand, 
And if I perish, 't is not mine, but God's com- 
mand ! " 

XII. 

The hero forth from the assembly flew. 

His fate they all lamented and admired, 
But none his unabated courage knew. 

They heard him speak by God's own love 
inspired ; 
They praised his look and eloquence divine, 



THE HEEO OF THE PLAGUE. 97 

But doubted still his great and good design. 
He spoke, and from their presence quick re- 
tired : 
Amazed, they thought they had a vision seen — 
The majesty of God, or Angel's form serene. 



XIII. 

Exalted by religion's truths sublime , 

By fire of patriot's love that bright'ning 
beamed, 
By heaven and earth — eternity and time ! 
The faith he thus had pledged, he thus re- 
deemed. 
In reputation now exalted high, 
With riches blessed that care and want defy, 

To her allied that like an angel seemed, 
And nattered with the pomp of earthly pride, 
He lived, while hopes of country and of kin- 
dred died. 



98 THE HERO OF THE PLAGUE. 

XIV. 

To him that night was full of heavenly rest ; 

!No earthly cares his holy thoughts opposed. 
The sacrament he took — his sins confessed, 

"When his unburthened soul itself disclosed 
Profuse of bliss and radiant of love, 
While charity from her bright home above, 

Came down and in his joyous heart reposed. 
Then seemed to ope of heaven the portals wide : 
His soul to drink of bliss the boundless ocean 
tide! 

XV. 

The shades of night retired. The hour had 
come ; 

Within his house there had a victim died. 
The pestilence had met him at his home, 

As if it heard, and to his vow replied. 
He shut himself within the fated room, 
Full well prepared to meet his certain doom. 



THE HERO OF THE PLAGUE. 99 

He knelt before the crucifix and cried : 
" O God ! — in this deep solitude retired — 
Thou wilt the action bless, thou hast thyself 
inspired." 

XVI. 

" Lone tenement of an immortal soul ! " — 
Continued he — " since I on thee can gaze 

Without alarm, teach me the plague's control, 
And I will bless of God the secret ways. 

Man's known for good or evil when he dies ; 

My life, O God ! shall be thy sacrifice : 

My trembling tongue shall ever sing thy 
praise, 

While thou, I trust, to me the cause wilt show, 

That fills our homes with bitterest dregs of 
human woe." 

XVII. 

All fearless, he the operation closed, 
And many curious observations made. 



100 THE HERO OF THE PLAGUE. 

He knew the confidence in him reposed, 

And every view his pious work displayed, 
With scrutinizing care he quickly penned, 
And was prepared to meet his glorious end. 
He sought the Lazaretto's dismal shade : 
But few short hours to him on earth were 

given : 
Where is the hero now ? Go ask of God in 
heaven ! 

XYIIL 

Thus, when his hold on earthly things was 
strong : 
Himself to one by deep attachments bound — 
A dear companion, whom fictitious song 
In vain might strive to praise — whose voice 
the sound 
Of naught could imitate than angel's lyre, 
Whose eye beamed bright with love's celestial 
fire : 
Himself high honored by the world around, 



THE HERO OP THE PLAGUE. 101 

And building fame so eminent and high — 
Naught less than heavenly bliss his hopes 
could satisfy. 

XIX. 

Of love, full deep inwoven with his soul, 
The tender cords had bound him strong to 
earth, 
And though submissive to the world's control, 
By those beloved to him that owed their 
birth, 
By those to him that gave his highest joy — 
His angel-daughter and his cherub-boy, 

And smiling infant, not of lesser worth : 
On all he gazed with sadly pleasing smile, 
Then turned away, for God's approval cheered 
the while. 

XX. 

His end was nobler and more glorious far, 
Than his who dies upon the battle-field. 



102 THE HERO OF THE PLAGUE. 

"Not all the princely pomp and pride of war, 

In death can such triumphant glories yield. 
The soldier rushes on with hope sustained, 
That he '11 be honored and the victory gained. 
To one is death and heaven alone revealed : 
The other seeks to gain an earthly prize, 
And shouts of fame and victory cheer him 
when he dies. 



XXL 

But mid the dead, and dying leprous forms, 
When naught but terrors of the grave ap- 
peared, 

And when no light of hope the bosom warms, 
The Hero of the Plague, expiring, cheered 

His sad companions on their dreary way, 

And led their fainting souls to heaven away. 
His courage praised — his counsel all re 
vered, 

And when away they saw his spirit fly, 



THE HERO OF THE PLAGUE. 103 

They thought they heard him say : " It is not 
hard to die."* 

XXIL 

To matter as superior is the mind, 

As heavenly scenes are higer than the earth, 
So all within the view of man confined, 

Inferior is to God that gave it birth. 
How great is he who would for country fall ! 
But greater far and more admired than all 

The gods of war, is that physician's worth, 
Who those would save by dire diseases tossed ; 
But dies and is of bliss in boundless ocean 
lost! 

•Vide Class. Die. Art. Pactus. 



S0iuj of Ik (gjfflhit f pl 



DEDICATED TO THE GREAT ARMY OF CALIFORNIA EMIGRANTS. 



I LIE NOT. 



In those ages bright but olden, 
Called bj ancient poets golden, 

By Apollo, I was made ; 
Gold my frame, and brightly burnished, 
Golden sinews to me furnished, 

And with diamonds all inlaid. 

Sung I once of fields all gory, 
By the warrior's deeds of glory, 

Sung I requiems of the dead. 
When in streams of blood were lying 
Men of might, with faintness dying, 

Mocked I then the prayers they said, 
6 



106 SONG OF THE GOLDEN LYRE. 

Led by lust of gold to battle, 
Soldiers heard the fearful rattle 

a Arms, on armor clashing," made ; 
Pressed they with their bloody ringers 
On my golden chords, where lingers 

Still the golden strains I played. 

Brigand, that, on lonely mountain, 
Pierced of life the crimson fountain, 

Learned from me the golden strain ; 
Pirate, o'er the ocean sailing, 
Heard, unmoved, the voice of wailing, 

Drowned by songs of golden gain. 

Miser, filling golden coffers, 
Avarice, courting fortune's offers, 

Tried the golden notes to swell ; 
Seeking ever golden fountains, 
On the desert plains and mountains, 

For they loved my music well. 



SONG OF THE GOLDEN LYRE. 107 

Merchants, that, to Afric's region, 
"Went to bring the blackened legion, 

Touched with hardened hand my strings ; 
Though I knew the monsters human 
Sold their fellow-man and woman, 

Sung I still of golden things. 

Priests, that, for the soul's pollution, 
Sold to sinners absolution, 

Bid me strike for them a song ; 
Thus, once more in ages olden, 
I, with heart and sinews golden, 

Did the golden notes prolong. 

Lover, he that sought a maiden, 
One with golden beauty laden, 

Listened to my golden voice : — 
Maiden, she that heard him lisp her 
ISTame with many a golden whisper, 

Did the golden song rejoice. 



108 SONG OF THE GOLDEN LYRE. 

Man of worth and man of feeling, 
Christian at the altar kneeling, 

Glittering tales to them were told : 
"Wealth, not worth, the greatest treasure, 

Riches are the rich man's pleasure ; 
Poor is he that hath not gold. 

By the brink of turbid rivers, 
Gathering gold, and chills, and fevers, 

And along the rock-bound coast, 
See the golden pilgrims standing, 
None departing, thousands landing; 

Swelling is the golden host. 

Loaded are they all with treasure ; * 
Gold, gold, without weight or measure ; 

Begging for a bit of bread ; 
Ragged is their rusty clothing, 
Love of gold is turned to loathing — 

Vultures waiting for the dead. 



SONG OF THE GOLDEN LYRE. 109 

Hunger hath his work been doing, 
Fortune's smile 's not worth the wooing, 

At such cruel, countless cost ; 
Golden strains unworthy singing ; 
Golden harps not worth the stringing ; 

Music, labor, life are lost. 

Old I am — my voice is wasting — 
To decay my form is hasting, 

And the songs of old I sung, 
Would I now be never singing, 
For a voice is in me ringing, 

Such as falls from angel's tongue. 

Truth, forever bright and solemn, 
Anthems, from the holy volume, 

Strains I never sung before — 
Songs that seraphs sing in Heaven 
To my chords shall now be given, 

Swelling, ringing, evermore ! 



®dr0m0Utt. 



O beautiful and softly flowing river, 
The gentlest of the torrent's daughters, 

Departed hath the forest-child forever, 
From the green margin of thy waters. 

Thy banks of beauty once were clothed with 
wildness ; 
Of feeling, then, there was no coldness ; 
The bravest heart was tempered well with 
mildness, — 
The weakest one full high with boldness. 

Xo barge, with whitened sail, the lake was 
sweeping ; 

* The Indian name for " Big Buffalo Creek," which empties into Lake 
Erie at Buffalo. See treaty between the United States and the Six Na- 
tions, made in J 781. 



112 TEHOSERORON. 

All round the shore the shades were waving ; 
The waters, now, within were sweetly sleeping, 
And now the banks were softly laving. 

The red man there his bark canoe was rowing, 
And woman little ones caressing ; 

All beauteous flowers in wild luxuriance grow- 
ing ; 
Great Spirit ! thou didst give the blessing. 

And when the warrior, from the chase return- 
ing. 

Beheld his children's smiling brightness, 
And holy love on fireside altars burning, 

His bosom swelled with buoyant lightness. 

Here breathed the poetry of love's devotion, 
And burst the laugh of bounding gladness ; 

The spirit struggled here with deep emotion, 
"When dimmed its light a shade of sadness. 



TEHOSEROROST. 113 

And when he felt the frost of age advancing, 
The chieftain told his thrilling story 

To fearless children round the war -fire dancing, 
Of deeds that bnilt the hero's glory. 

"When bound him Death, within his soothing 
slumbers, 
His tomb unmarked by stone or willow, 
Sung then his funeral dirge the wind's wild 
numbers, 
The moss-grown rock his dying pillow. 

Now perished hath his bright, ethereal vision ; 

The red man's glory hath departed : 
Great Spirit ! grant a sweet Elysium 

To beings here but broken-hearted. 

'Mid blooming vales and gently rising moun- 
tains, 
With ivory bow and golden quiver, 



114 TEHOSEEOEON. 

Give them, O Heaven, to drink at crystal 
fountains, 
And hunt along the rolling river. 

The arrow's point with string elastic throwing, 
Give them to guide with aim unbending ; 

O happiness, in peaceful streamlets flowing, 
Grant them the bliss of life unending. 



Sttuxz xrf f »&t 6wp, 



'Twas morning ; but, ere yet the radiant sun 

Had risen, to shed his lustre o'er the world, 
While scarce the moon her nightly course had 

run, 
Or sullen darkness from her throne was hurled, 
I, musing, stood upon the joyous shore, 
And bade my curious eyes the scene explore. 
Deep was the vale ; high rose the mountains 

round ; 
With joy I gazed — then stood in awe profound. 
Close on the eastern shore, a mountain high 
Rose up as if to meet the azure sky. 
Behind its terminated point there lay, 
In peaceful pride, a little winding bay ; 
While, far beyond, a brother mountain stood, 



116 SCENERY OF LAKE GEORGE. 

"Whose top with towering pride o'erlooked the 

flood. 
Between the hills a cloud in silence hung, 

As if suspended by the hand of night, 
Which o'er the hills her sable mantle flung — 

Now fast dissolving into streams of light. 
The waters there seemed like a darkened pall, 
Spread o'er a city, doomed in wrath to fall. 
The bay was calm. The hills on either side 
Stood firm, exulting in their mountain pride. 
There seemed at first to ope the gates of morn, 
When streams of light the hills and vales 

adorn. 
There seemed, where yet the cloud in darkness 

The path in which Aurora led the day. 
But yet, while Phoebus upward rolled his car, 
And threw his beams of shining light afar, 
Slowly the cloud was seen to melt away, 
Its last faint streaks commingling with the 
day. 



SCENERY OF LAKE GEORGE. 117 

The vail was rent ; and night, with noiseless 

tread, 
Ketired, as if to slumber with the dead. 
Then shone abroad the sun's resplendent 

beams ; 
Far o'er the water glanced his joyous gleams, 
Kenecting all the varying shades of light, 
Till all was brilliant, as was dark the night. 
The hills were glad, and joyous were the trees, 
All silent now — now whispering in the breeze. 
Then smiling pleasure led her joyful train, 
"While notes melodious filled the wide domain. 
The boats were seen to glide across the wave, 
All still, save by the strokes the oarsmen gave ; 
While deep within the bosom of the lake, 
All forms their bright reflected image take. 
While some with treacherous bait allure 

The trout, that lay in " speckled pride," 
Beneath the wave, yet ill secure, 

Full many a crew was seen to ride 
In "still repeated circles round," 



118 SCENERY OF LAKE GEOEGE. 

Where oft upon the waters lay 
The beauteous Isles, which, save the sound 

Of birds that hynin the rising day, 
Were silent as the voiceless tomb, 
And lonely as the desert's gloom. 
Alone they seemed — but not alone ; 
Though solitude did hold her throne 
Within that calm and wild retreat, 
There birds with birds in concert meet, 
There hills with hills in strife arise, 
And vainly tempt the lofty skies. 
There hills with brother hills converse, 
And each to each the tales rehearse, 
That strike themselves with deep and solemn 

sound, 
When tattling echo tells the mountains round. 
There Isle with Isle, familiar courts 
The wave ; and wave, rejoicing, sports 
With wave, while yet themselves appear 
The friends of solitude forever reigning here. 



HOME 



" Sweet Home ! " — the scene of early joys — 
Perchance, of nnremembered sorrow, 

How dear the hope my heart employs, 
Of viewing on some happy morrow ! 

O, how hath wizard Fancy wove 
With light and gay fantastic fingers, 

The holy charm of early love 

Around the spot where memory lingers ! 

How doth imagination light, 

Upon her trembling pinions falter, 

Before the flame of love, that bright 
Is burning on the fireside altar ! 



120 HOME. 

The bliss of earth that 's born above, 
More dear to me than every other, 

Is nature's pure and pious love 
Of father, mother, sister, brother. 

But from the little chosen band 
That once did in that circle gather, 

Hath gone to seek a better land, 
My loved and unforgotten father. 

And if among those names, so dear, 
One may be fonder than another, 

Who gives for me a prayer, or tear, 

That one would be the name of mother. 

What though her vision is not bright, 

Nor quick her step as youth's light motion 

Undim'd remains her mental sight, 
Unchilled the warmth of her devotion. 

Her children all alike she loves — 
On each bestows some little token — 



HOME. 121 

A valued gift if it but proves 

The ties of Nature are not broken. 

Though they are scattered far and wide, 
And all have different paths before them, 

Between them flows no ocean-tide, 

And the same sky is smiling o'er them. 

To meet again at their " sweet home " 
The joy to them may not be given : 

Left here a little space to roam, 

O Father ! call them home to heaven. 
March, 1837. 



%ti f flbe $Iriit |»«btr. 



Let Love abide forever ! 

Thus did Affection sing — 
Thus wrote the faithful lover 

Upon a golden ring ; 
He gave it to his love — 

She vowed to keep it ever ; 
Witnessed the stars above — 

" Let Love abide forever." 

Let Love abide forever, 

Nor think the date too long ; 

In vain might time endeavor 
To swell its sweetest song. 

I 'm bound to thee with bonds 
Which earth may not dissever ; 



124 LET LOVE ABIDE FOREVER. 

Thy look of love responds, 
" Let Love abide forever ! " 

Let Love abide forever ! 

Though mourning on us come 
And sorrows round us hover, 

Love rest upon our home. 
"When in affliction's hour 

May holy friendship ever 
Exclaim with softening power, 

" Let Love abide forever ! " 

Let Love abide forever : 

It was not born to die ! 
"Who shall its life recover, 

"When falls its dying sigh ? 
Yes — love shall live, though death 

Our earthly ties should sever, 
And sigh our dying breath ; 

" Let Love abide forever ! " 



1 % ffbe %\n, §nri|n!* 



I love thee, Brother ! with a sister's love, 
And claim from thee a Brother's dearest 
prayer ; 
And if the spirits pure, that dwell above, 
May read our thoughts with pain or plea- 
sure there, 
Will not the eye of her that bore us, shine 

With sweet and holy rapture when she feels, 
That in her children lives her love divine — 
That This devotion o'er our memory steals, 
Who smoothed the paths our infant feet hath 

trod, 
And called away her spirit up to God. 

* Written for a young lady whose parents were dead, and intended to 
Vie presented by lier, as a token of affection, to her brother, who was 
about to be married. 



126 I LOVE THEE, BROTHER. 

What though thy heart be plighted to another ; 

Give not the Jove that's to a sister due ; 
Nor shall I claim in thy affection, Brother, 

Her place, whom holier ties will bind^ to you. 
For her a home is left within my heart ; 

Nor do I yield the place that's due a Brother : 
To each, deserved love I will impart : — 

O spirits dear, of father and of mother, 
Help us to keep, of love, the sacred trust, 
Till pass our souls to thee — our flesh to dust. 



Ji fnpwnt 



Land of theWest! where freedom's altars burn, 
Thy bosom is the child of Nature's urn. 
Here were the temples in the forest-shade, 
"Where was of old the Red Man's offering 

made. 
Above the shrine did lofty branches wave — 
The tree the column — cloud the architrave ; 
The high expanded arch of heaven, the dome ; 
The rock the altar, and the earth the tomb. 
That time ! — O faded are those scenes away — 
What harp shall sing the sadly pleasing lay ! 

Young Enterprise, with bounding footsteps, 

traced 
The rivers that the waving prairie graced ; 



128 A FRAGMENT. 

The sporting Naiads left their crystal waves, 
Their silver fountains and their coral caves. 
The lover's song no longer heard the grove, 
Nor forest-girl his bridal chaplet wove. 

Improvement next appeared with sinews strong, 
And followed in his train th' industrious 

thrcng; 
The forest fell — the works of art appeared, 
An empire rose, as by enchantment reared. 
Then hither came all passions of the earth, 
Ambitious each to celebrate her birth ; 
And each with envious strife was heard to 

claim 
The right to give the infant world a name. 
Stern Justice was to weigh — bright Truth 

approve, 
And moral worth, alone the balance move. 

Wealth's menial sons their golden offerings 
brought, 



A FRAGMENT. 129 

And Learning bore the triumphs she had 

wrought. 
Proud Conquest came, and in the balance 

placed 
The trophies which a thousand victories graced. 
While yet the balance hung with trembling 

swing, 
Adventurous Genius came, with steady wing, 
And pinions radiant with a golden stream, 
And hung his laurels on the wavering beam ; 
Ingratitude upheld the sinking scale, 
But Truth beheld and cried — "Columbia, hail ! " 



THE YICTOR SPIRIT. 



§\t Wutat Spirit 



i. 

The mind ! immortal mind ! who shall declare 

Its destiny ? Itself alone hath taught 
The secrets of the ocean, earth and air, 

But what shall teach itself the source of 
thought? 
Mysterious is the force the spheres obey, 
That move in grandeur through their trackless 
way. 
All these by Nature's finest fingers wrought, 
The mind may scan as with a power divine, 
While it with deepest thought can scarce itself 
define. 



134: THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 

II. 

Mark how the beauteous form that Nature 
shows , 

Calls up the joyous smile of cheering praise; 
What lovely charms her rural scenes disclose : 
See how the mind its high delight displays, 
As 't views creation's works from earliest time, 
And gathers wealth from every varied clime : 
Behold how then it burns with bright'ning 
blaze. 
And all the shades of passion, feeling, thought, 
Arise at sight of wondrous works that God 
hath wrought ! 

III. 

Bid Fancy touch the springs of mind sublime — 
Trace out imagination's highest flight ; 

Roll backward then the waveless tide of time, 
Through bright'ning day, or dark, oblivious 
night, 



THE VICTOR SriRIT. 135 

What time the morning stars their song began, 
And mark what feelings move the soul of 

man : 
What passions rule — what blissful hopes 

delight — 
And say — from burning zone to frozen pole — 
If aught is found sublimer than the fearless 

soul! 

IV. 

Heard ye the thunder's peal — the ocean's roar? 
Saw ye the lightning's flash in deep of night, 
When waves in madness lashed the rocky 
shore? 
Or looked ye down the mountain's giddy 
height, 
To fearful gulfs and watery graves below ? 
Heard ye, the while, the threat'ning tempest 
blow, 
While rolled the billows proud of furious 
might, — 



136 THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 

And darkness deej) with terror vailed the sky? 
All these are full of grand and awful majesty ! 

v. 

The smallest star that shines in distant space, 
When seen afar with philosophic eye ; 

The dark eclipse that drives the day apace ; 
The comet as it rides along the sky, 

To chase the darkening shades of night away ; 

The blue expanse that mocks our short survey; 
Yastness and strength that all our powers 
defy; 

Extension infinite and endless time ! — 

The thoughts of these are great, majestic, and 
sublime ! 

VI. 

But mark the man by noble passion moved, 
"Who proudly bids defiance to his foes, 

And see the soul by conscious truth approved, 
In triumph rise o 'er all its weight of woes ; 



THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 137 

The Patriot's bosom burn, with freedom 

fired ; 
The hero's soul by love of fame inspired, 

Disdaining all that dare his right oppose, 
And though an armed host his power defy, 
With firmest voice he swears " to conquer or 
to die ! " 

VII. 

Thus, raised above the chilling touch of fear, 
All free exists the captive's dauntless 
mind. 
What though the body 's bound in chains se- 
vere, 
Not by creation is the soul confined. 
While innocence the charge of guilt denies, 
Exulting shall the winged spirit rise. 

No prison can its viewless essence bind, 
No terror chill its sweet and pure delight, 
No feeling blast its heavenly hopes and vis- 
ions bright. 
7* 



138 THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 



Till. 

Thus, o'er the wave, on Erin's fated land, 
Whose sea-girt shore the troubled waters 
lave, 
His country saw a youthful patriot stand 

With high resolve the Emerald Isle to save; 
Accused of crime by slander's perjured breath, 
And by the foes of Freedom led to death, 

Unyielding there he fell as fall the brave : 
While o'er his tomb his kindred spirits sighed, 
Immortal Freedom mourned, when godlike 
Emmet died. 

IX. 

So in that land far-famed in ancient song, 
Which wild iEgean's classic waves divide, 

A mighty nation's tomb has mouldered long, 
And long the sea has rolled its mournful tide 

Against the rocks that skirt its winding 
shore, 



THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 139 

As if with sighing sounds it would deplore 
The Spartan band that there so bravely 
died! 
Thermop'lse then did consecrate her name, 
And there Leonidas acquired immortal fame ! 

X. 

Let heroes boast their deeds of bravery done, 

Let patriots for their country bleed and die : 
Let those in triumph tell their victories won, 

And these, the foes of Liberty defy ; 
Yet are they not the noblest ones of earth, 
Nor can they give the purest passions birth. 

There is a feeling more sublime and high : 
It is the moral courage of the mind, 
Triumphant over fear, and yet to heaven re- 
signed. 

XI. 

So when the good man, 'mid bright scenes of 
earth, 



140 THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 

With memory sweet recalls the fleeting past, 
Arid seeks, perchance, the cause that gave him 
birth ; 
When all with mystery is quite o'ercast, 
Conducted by imagination's flight, 
Beyond the solemn bounds of death's dark 
night : 
The mind, forgetting scenes that cannot 
last, 
Would fain explore the Universe sublime, 
To grasp infinity, and measure endless time ! 

XII. 

And such a trial was, in ancient days, 
When human intellect had reached the 
height 
Of envied admiration, and high praise 
From lips that spoke, and eyes that looked 
delight, 
Did swell the human heart with pompous 
pride, 



THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 141 

And fiction gained t*~e praise to truth denied : 
Then first arose the faint and flickering 
light, 

That joyous beamed from Truth's celestial 
throne, 

Whose face, when first imvailed, with bright- 
est radiance shone. 

XIII. 

This light, while scarce by purest spirits seen, 
Remained to vulgar minds in darkness 
sealed. 
Its fainting gleams, the darkening shades be- 
tween, 
From human vision's reach well-nigh con- 
cealed. 
A lofty mind, beyond the world's control, 
Disdaining fear of death, believed the soul 
Immortal — great the truth — not then re- 
vealed. 
This firm belief the martyr testified — 



142 THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 

This blissful hope he, living, taught, and teach- 
ing, died. 

XIV. 

Not fearful dreams of falling into naught, 

But hope to rise immortal from the tomb, 
By Socrates conceived and Plato taught, 

Impelled the fearless son of ancient Rome 
— Disdaining terrors of a coming foe, 
And all the fearful thoughts of human woe — 

To end his life, nor wait for Caesar's doom. 
Defeating thus the tyrant's stern decree, 
Heroic Cato died, and set his spirit free ! 

XY. 

But he, though great, was not without his 
faults ; 

And yet, like virtues all his errors shone. 
How great is he whose mind himself exalts, 

While others shine with merits not their own ! 
The act 'twas not, but motive which inspired, 



THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 143 

That made the man lamented and admired. 

Not hopeless did he go to realms unknown, 
For, having deeply drank of Plato's lore, 
He sighed for immortality, and was no more. 

XYI. 

One more — the greatest of the noble line 
That ruled th' imperial mistress of the 
earth — 
Deserves a place upon the scroll divine, 

That keeps the record of the names of worth, 
That honored live on the historic page, 
And gather praise from each succeeding age. 

Of such we gladly hail the glorious birth, 
And drop the tear of memory o'er their tombs : 
The name of Regulus eternal is, as Rome's. 

XYI I. 

But view we now the conqueror's banquet-hall. 
There lie the spoils of many a battle-field — 
Red arms, torn from the soldier at his fall — 



I4:i THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 

Helmet, and sword, and brightly brazen 
shield, 
And fond mementoes of his lady bright, 
Snatched from the bosom of the valiant JKnight. 
'Mid triumphs of the hour, the victors— steeled 
To moral worth — hoped, with oppression's rod, 
Through seas of blood, to gain the citadel of 
God! 

XVIII. 

Shall he, Napoleon, claim a power supreme ? 

Shall Brutus triumph o'er a tyrant slain ? 
Or Hannibal, to swell the lofty theme, 

Rejoicing, bear the spoils of Canuse's plain? 
None is a boast so great, sublime, and high, 
As when, without a groan — without a sigh, 

The Red Man meets his fate with proud dis- 
dain, 
While yet his fearless and unconquered soul, 
Exulting, soars sublime, and still defies con- 
trol ! 



THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 145 



XIX. 

Let Princesses imperial pride sustain : 

And let them rule a nation "long and well." 
Of brave heroic sons in battle slain, 

Let Greek and Koman mothers proudly tell ; 
Yet loftier and nobler feelings rise 
From hearts to mercy made a sacrifice. 

Sublimer words or kinder looks, ne'er fell 
From human lips or beamed from human eye, 
Than when the "Forest Girl" exclaimed — 
"Thou shalt not die!" 

XX. 

America ! what muse of eagle-wing, 

Created for a flight sublime, shall plume 

Her pinions strong, and heavenward soaring, 
sing 
The deeds of those whose praises shall illume 

The great historian's page in future years, 

And draw from youthful eyes admiring tears ! 



146 THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 

O, may some bard inspired the song re- 
sume, 

The glories of the brave to spread through 
earth, 1 

Who lived where Nature gave a Pocahontas 
birth. 

XXL 

O woman ! he thy love that doth not feel, 
Or hath not felt, than man is more or 
less ; 
And he that hath not knelt, or would not 
kneel, 
To one that hath substantial power to bless, 
— Albeit on him hath fortune ever smiled, 
And Genius nursed him as a favored child, 
And heard admiring throngs his fame con- 
fess — 
Hath never known the purest bliss of heaven, 
Or knowing it, perverted hath the end for 
which 't was given. 



THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 147 



XXII. 

Her strength of hope, her faith, and trust, and 
love, 

Is not the growth of ages, nursed with care, 
And cultured in the heart, as, from the grove 

Of sunny climes to lands of keener air, 
The young exotic, brought, endures the gale, 
But mourns the beauty of its native vale : 

Th' affections of the heart are innate there, 
As he may learn who seeks the fount of joy, 
Like life, that man cannot create, but may de- 
stroy. 

XXIII. 

From human passions separate the dross, 
And from the mass the pure and priceless 
save! 

Land of the worshiped crescent or the cross — 
Of Christian warrior, or the Moslem slave — 

Of rustic homes or palaces refined, 



148 THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 

Where Freedom reigns or iron fetters bind — 

Bring forth the patriotic and the brave, 
And trace the record back to earliest time : 
What spirit hath a power than woman's more 
sublime ! 

XXIY. 

Behold it in the hut of savage life, 

When cheers her holy smile the dying chief : 
O, never dearer is the name of wife, 

Than when to burning brow she gives relief. 
Great Chief! supremely blest thine evening 

hour, 
Thy body chained, but not unfeared thy 
power, 
As o'er thy cheek there fell the tears of 
grief, 
And sweetest words from lips that lisped thy 

name, 
Were breathed to lend a charm to Oseeola's 
fame. 



THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 149 



XX Y. 

Lived there on earth than his a bolder spirit ? — 

Though sullen in defeat, and in the field 
Ferocious ; who, his fame that would inherit, 

"Would bear a prouder emblem on his shield 
Than such a warrior's likeness ? — bravery's seal 
Was on his brow, and throb'd a heart could feel 

"Within his bosom ; yet to feeling steeled 
It might be, and it was, or seemed to be, 
When Treachery enslaved whom God created 
free ! 

XXVI. 

In all the varied forms of matter, what 

" So complicate and curious wrought" as man ? 

Go, search creation through, and there is not 
A wonder of a more mysterious plan. 

His noblest portion, the immortal soul — 

That spirit born of God that doth control 
His mortal frame — no other essence can, 



150 THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 

Like this — than all things else created, higher — 
Exist, when all material forms are burned with 
fire ! 

XXYII. 

The spirit hath in earth its triumph-hour : 
Itself the fount of life, and thought and feel- 
ing; 

The spring that wakes to being passion's power, 

When throes of pain are o'er the pulses 

stealing, 
Which act on it, like storms on quiet oceans, 

And raise a whirlwind of its deep emotions : 
But times are when the soul, again congeal- 
ing 
Them to repose, seals them with crystal tear, 
That shines like a bright pleiad in the heav- 
enly sphere. 

XXVIII. 

Keligion ! thine the viewless force that leads 



THE VICTOR SPIRIT. 151 

The mind to that illimitable height, 
Whence it with pity looks on warring creeds 

That dim but darken not thy holy light ; 
And thine the power that doth defy the flame 
To kill the soul while it consumes the frame ; 

To thee, O man, is given the moral sight 
To see th' all-glorious pathway in the skies, 
Where hope but in the joys of fall fruition 
dies. 

XXIX. 

Go with the martyr to the burning pile ; 

And light the crackling fagots, if you will. 
Behold his features lightened by a smile, 

His even pulse, and blood without a chill : 
The finer organs of corporeal pain 
Absorbed in triumphs of the spirit's reign ! 

By God Almighty's nice creative skill 
Produced, and with material forms combined, 
Behold sublimely bright the energies of 
mind ! 



152 THE VICT0K SPIKIT. 

XXX. 

See how the noblest passions move the soul 
Of man to great, and good, and, glorious 
deeds ; 

How love of freedom, truth and right control, 
Whene'er a patriot falls or hero bleeds : — 

Eternal things sublimest thoughts inspire ; 

And when our youthful joys with age expire, 
Or, swiftly, Death his early coming speeds, 

Serenely smiles the hope, undying, bright, 

That points to life eternal and immortal light. 



S»tttri»B (Sinning. 



The work of labor now is done, and rest 
Awaits the happy millions that repose 
Upon the lap of ease. Content is there, 
To whisper of the promises of hope — ■ 
Of hope, the bright- winged messenger of peace. 
For who, that meets this hour aright, but feels 
An inward flow of joy which lifts the soul 
To elevated themes and holy thoughts, 
Meant for the morrow ? Him I envy not 
Who would not claim these feelings as his own. 
!N*ot all unpleasing is the evening walk, 
The gaze upon the stars, whose steady eyes 
Have never failed of lustre since the day 
The Great Eternal bathed the world in light. 



154 SATURDAY EVENING. 

The moon, more proud, but less sublime, 

walks up 
The sky and boasts her brighter than the 

clouds, i 

Whose shade but helps to give her glory. 

These, 
The balmy air, the cricket's song, and all 
The soft accordances of evening, mould ' 
The thoughts in harmony ; but he who views 
This scene alone, can see and feel but half 
Its beauty. Happy he that knows there ? s one 
"Who would be with him in this quiet hour. 



§m 1»— % |e $«tyment §aa. 



A TRANSLATION. 



The world, upon the Judgment Day, 
Shall burn to ashes : — thus doth say 
The Sibyl's* verse and David's lay. 

How great a terror now he brings, 

When comes the Judge, the King of Kings, 

Severely to review all things ! 

The trump, sending its dreadful sound, 
Throughout the vast sepulchral ground, 
Shall gather all his throne around. 

* The Sibyls were certain women supposed to be inspired by heaven . 
A collection of Greek verses has been preserved, pretended to be the oracles 
of the Sibyls, Some of the Christian fathers cited the books of the Sibyls 
in favor of the Christian religion. The allusion to them in the above, 
is a proof of the credit which was given to them. In the history of the 
Papal chapel, published at Rome in 1839, it is stated that Michael Angelo, 
by order of Julius II, painted on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel, the 
great facts of the early history of man, the creation, the fall, the deluge, 
&c; and below these, on each side, the majestic figures of the prophets 
and Sibyls, which appear as vouchers for the traditions preserved among 
the Pagans concerning (he M 



156 DIES IEAE. 

Nature shall die ■ — Death, lose his stings, 
And rise again created things, 
And answer to the King of Kings. 

i 
The written book shall then be brought, 
"Where is recorded every thought, 
"Whence the world's judgment shall be wrought. 

Then shall the Judge ascend his throne, 
And what were hidden things make known, 
And all must for their sins atone. 

"What answer can I, wretched, give ? 
"What patron ask — what hope receive, 
"When scarcely can the righteous live ? 

King of tremendous majesty, 

"Whose grace saves those who saved shall be, 

Fountain of piety, save me ! 

Remember, Lord, I pray, 



DIES IRAE. 157 

Thou earnest because of my lost way, 
And 0, destroy me not this day ! 

Questioning me thou sit'st in pain, 
"Who, crowned, on the cross wast slain : 
May so great labor not be vain ! 

Just Judge of punishment, I pray 
Thy mercy for my sinful way, 
Before the final Judgment Day. 

That I so guilty am, I mourn : 

My faults make me with shame to burn : 

God, spare a suppliant to return ! 

Thou who from sin set Mary free, 
And heard the thief upon the tree, 
Hast also given hope to me. 

Unworthy is my heart's desire, 

But thou, Lord, me with faith inspire, 

Lest I be burned in endless fire ! 



158 DIES IKAE. 

Give me among the sheep to stand : 
Divide me from the goats' dark band, 
And grant a place at thy right hand. 

Thy maledictions all repressed, 
Thy cruel burnings, too, suppressed, 
Call me to sit among the blessed. 

I pray, as I a suppliant bend, 
A heart contrite as ashes lend, 
And take thou care of my last end. 

That day shall witness tearful eyes 
When it* shall from its ashes rise. 

Man must be judged, accused of God : 
O Father, spare thy chastening rod. 

Pious Jesus, Lord, give him rest. — Amen. 

* The translator supposes that the nominative case to resurget, trans - 
lated it, refers to " cor contritum," "contrite heart," in the preceding 
stanza. 



%ij §8$iism. 



A TRUE INCIDENT?. 



There was a fountain of the purest water. 
An infant leaned npon its father's bosom, 
"While rose the voice of prayer. 

Many were there 
To gaze npon the scene ; and he that prayed, 
While all were silent, in the water dipped 
His hand and laid it on the infant's brow ; 
And as its name fell from his parted lips, 
He blessed it. 

Then 't was fit the father's heart 
Should feel that God had given a precious 

trust, 
And that he, whose the blessing was, should 

promise 



160 THE BAPTISM. 

To keep it un defiled. And while he stood, 
And listened to his sacred teacher's words, 
And bowed in token of his full assent, 
His child laid on his lips a precious kiss ; 
And they that saw it felt it had become 
An angel. Feeling conquered, and they wept. 



hm fax t\t $Ui» gm. 



The jubilee is come — the glad New Year ! 
How sweet the thoughts that cluster round its 

birth ! 
It is a time for pure and holy feelings. 
The little ones that sought the pillow's rest 
Unwilling on the charmed eve, awake 
To claim their father's gift and mother's kiss, 
Right glad to be the first to lisp those words 
Of bright and storied dreams — a glad New 

Year! 

The bright ]S r ew Year ! its first careering sun 
Shall lend a holy smile, as gives the seal 
Of friendship its impression deep on hearts 
8* 



162 THE NEW YEAE. 

Of purest mould, while signets long effaced 
And worn, shall re-imprinted be, and wine 
Shall wash away the dust neglect has heaped 
On bosoms made for high and generous 

thoughts ; 
And love shall weave its silken meshes round 
Those re-united by its kind embrace. 



The gay New Year ! The fascinating smiles 
Of beauty, clothed in neat and chaste attire, 
Shall add new glory to the morning light. 
The melting music of the harp, and song 
Of human voice divine — the gladsome laugh, 
And joyous dance, and all the features bright, 
Doth speak a language tongue hath never 

learned ; 
For who can paint the cheek of rosy blush 
And changing hue, or write in words the joy 
That lights the eye and curls the lip with 

smiles? 



THE NEW YEAR. 163 

The blest New Year ! 'T is good to look around 
And feel that we, this day, are not alone ; 
That hearts and hopes of absent friends are 

with us. 
5 T is good for us this day should come : it is 
A landmark in our life's else trackless way. 
Look up when zenith holds the burning sun : 
It seems scarce higher than the golden ball 
That lights the dome of yonder tower. But see, 
When the horizon drinks its mellow light, 
His lengthened rays illume the village spire, 
And gaze upon the distant turret, tree, 
And hill, and brightly burnished wave ; the 

cloud 
And far-off mountain — these but feebly count 
The tens of millions of his distant way ! 
And so, when flows the tide of time along, 
The birth of freedom, and the death of saints, 
The hero's triumph, and the ]STew Year's hour, 
The Sabbath morn and Christmas Eve — all 



164: THE NEW YEAE. 

Us warning of its passage ; for these are 
The sands laid on the shore of time — the 

drops 
That swell the ocean of eternity ! — 
The quarter-strokes that give to mortal man 
The token of his quickly-passing life. . 

The sad New Year! for those are now no 
more 

That were onr pride and joy. And one there 
is — 

A widowed mother — who hath lost what was 

To her of heavenly worth, her darling child ; 

And children are who mourn their parents' 
death — 

The homeless daughter and the orphan boy. 

Let Charity perform her pleasing task, 

And take from them their humble tribute — 
thanks : 

Thanks for the plenty which their hands re- 
ceived, 



THE NSW YEAR. 165 

From those whom God hath given generous 

hearts ; 
And thanks that Heaven hath spared them for 

the gift. 

The New Year's Day ! it is a day of joy, 
Of fear, of trust, of sorrow and of hope : 
Of joy that we are not unblessed ; of fear, 
That we have poorly earned the good man's 

praise ; 
Of trust, that Heaven will guide our steps 

aright ; 
Of sorrow, that, since last this festal day 
We hailed, the friends we cherished with our 

love, 
Are lost to our embrace ; of hope, that bliss 
Immortal is their lot, and that, when death 
Shall call us hence, we '11 share with them the 

deep 
And full fruition of eternal rest. 



t U f ihrts. 



When Oppression sought to rule the world, 
And Kings became intoxicate with fame, 
And blackened flags were everywhere un- 
furled, 
Down from her native heaven a being came, 
Her features bright 
With hallowed light, 
Her father God, and Liberty her name ! 

Angel of Light ! whose burning throne 

Shall never fade or fail ; 
Thy great and Godlike errand done, 

The Nations bade thee, Hail !• 
The foes of Freedom were amazed, 

To see her shining form, 
And Freedom's friends her coming praised 

As they beheld the coming storm. 



16S ODE TO LIBERTY. 

A shield with streaks of light illumed with stars, 
That gave a glory to the soldier's scars, 
"Who, fighting, died beneath her high com- 
mand, 
Aloft she bore with more than human hand ; 
And tales shall tell 
How heroes fell, 
The Patriot-martyrs of a chosen land ! 
Their tombs around 
Shall freemen proudly weep 
And peaceful be their sleep 
In holy ground. 

His Angel-choirs 
The God of music woke 
Who swept with magic stroke 
Their breathing lyres. 
Borne swiftly on their fiery car 
With light'ning flash 
And thund'ring crash, 
All fiercely came the hosts of war! 



ODE TO LIBERTY. 169 

With breath of smoke. 



And iron hands, 
And eyes of fire, 
The hero gave the deadly stroke 

And saw his foes expire ; 
But lo ! his banner proudly stands ; 
For while the heaving tide of battle rolls, 
And every flood 
Is red with blood, 
The Eagle-bearer holds its glorious folds, 
For he has left " his mansion in the sun " 
To see the task of warriors done ! 

The foot of battle strode sublime, 
O'ermarching plain and mountain, 
Frozen stream and flowing fountain, 
"With drum and trumpet's awful chime, 
And Lexington 
A glory won, 
That swells the raptured poet's song, 
And bids the bard his notes prolong, 



170 ODE TO LIBERTY. 

Let him raise the tuneful voice : 
Let the nations all rejoice, 
And Bunker's hill 
The song shall fill, 
And millions of this happy land 
Shall sing its praises and its power expand ! 

While Freedom finds a friend on earth, 
"While gives the world a hero birth, 
Shall Bravery's legends tell 
How — when her soil the warrior trod — 
Ticonderoga fell 

Beneath the hand 
Whose stern command 
Was in the name of Congress and Almighty 
God! 

Now look around 
On classic ground : 
For war, the hated scourge of God, 
This peaceful land hath trod. 
See ! across the narrow tide, 



ODE TO LIBERTY. 171 

The region of the Lion's pride ! — 
When his shaggy front he shook, 

And for the battle-prize contended, 
The " Bird of Jove," with fearless look, 
From the throne of God descended : 
Boldly plucked his flowing mane, 
And gave it to the winds that swept the plain! 
On Erie's banks 
The crowded ranks, 
Like Pilgrims to some holy shrine, 
Rush'd on to victory or death divine ! 

The fairest of the ocean's daughters 

Bore proudly on her smiling waters 

The Eagle's and the Lion's hostile line : 

Her gentle flood 

There drank the blood 

Of the King of beasts, 

As, at her feasts, 
His royal mistress drinks her wine. 
The winged warrior nobly fought : 



172 ODE TO LIBERTY. 

The breeze the shout of victory caught, 
And glory crowned our country's powers, 
"When Perry's name 
She gave to fame, , 

"Who met the foe and made them ours ! 

That day full many a hero fell. 
Niagara's wave 
Became their grave, 
As long, historic tale shall tell ; 
Long as the conquering bird shall wave its 

wing; 
Long as the Minstrel-Cataract shall sing, 
Shall Angels raise 
The song of praise ! 
And gladd'ning shouts of triumph ring ! 

July 4, 1839. 



THE PATETOT'S TRIUMPH. 



t f atnflt'g ®nM#t 



A theme full worthy of an angel's lyre, 

To holiest strains attuned, awaits the song ; 
And though, perchance, in vain it strive to fire 
The "soul of harmony" with feelings strong 
And deep, the bashful muse essays to sing 
What well befits a harp of boldest string. 
Not nobler thoughts have stirred the en- 
raptured throng, 
Nor sweeter strains have moved a seraph's 

tongue, 
Than this deserves, the highest theme by bards 
unsung 



II. 

Know ye the works which Nature hath created, 

External substance and material forms? 
How each to each, mysterious stands related ? 
And what that chills, and what the power 
that warms ? 
What bids the vapor's sporting curls to rise ? 
And why the snows desert their native skies ? 
What power creates and stills the angry 
storms ? 
Why moved the planets on creation's morn, 
Ere while rejoiced the sons of God, that time 
was born? 

III. 

Ask why on ocean's bosom swells the tide ? 

To rear the mighty oak, whose is the power ? 
Who bade the storm the whirlwind steed to 
ride? 

Who gave a being to the bashful flower ? 



THE PATRIOT'S TRIUMPH. 177 

Who taught the steel to lead the lightning's car? 
Or point its finger to the polar star ? 

If these delight ns, things but of an hour, 
What raptures shall we feel the source to find, 
And comprehend the powers of th' immortal 
mind? 

IT. 

The mind ! ethereal spark, whose fitful light, 
Soft as the morning's look, first breaks to 
view, 
Then, like the chain] ess meteor, flashing bright, 
Would fain its wildly blazing course pursue. 
Now stretch afar the telescopic eye, 
To catch a world from the unfathomed sky : 
Alternate now the wondering gaze renew 
From insect's home to angel's bright abode — 
Itself the noblest work of its Creator God. 

V. 

JSTor noble is the mind but by its deeds ; 
9 



Full many a powerful intellect appears, 
And smiles with hate when heavenly mercy 
bleeds ; 
Full many a soul, estranged to better fears, 
"Whose courage fails where virtue firmness 

gains, 
Loves the " bad eminence " itself attains. 
Though Charity should pour her cleansing 
tears, 
Yet not, in all the fleeting hours of time, 
Can mental wealth excuse or wash away a 
crime. 

YI, 

Not so the lofty souls whose praise I sing, 
Not born to drink of Freedom's purest foun- 
tain, 
Nor gently fanned, as by the breath of spring, 
With softening zephyrs from a rural moun- 
tain. 
Not where the love of liberty and truth 



the patriot's triumph. 179 

Could expiate the lesser faults of youth ; 
Where virtues great, pretended crimes sur- 
mounting, 
Could dissipate the clouds to viewless air, 
That breathe suspicion on a reputation fair. 

YIL 

But in a land where ruder storms prevailed, 
And Freedom's hallowed flame had nigh 
expired ; 
"Where other men from moral weakness failed, 
And from the thickening contest had retired ; 
Where Bigotry had raised her horrid head, 
And honest hearts, the land that overspread, 
Fanatic men opposed, with vengeance fired : 
Were born the fearless men whose pilgrim-feet 
From proud oppression turned to find a calm 
retreat. 

YIIL 

But in that hour what anguish pierced the soul ! 



Upon a barren, unfrequented heath, 
Unvisited but by the ceaseless roll 

Of waves that came and spent their foaming 
breath, , 

Then died and slept within their ocean-grave, 
"While new-born billows did successive lave 

The shore, and in succession sink to death, 
All undismayed the trusting Pilgrims stood, 
Their homes behind, their eyes were fixed upon 
the flood. 

IX. 

But they were now upon the troubled ocean, 
"Whose mountain-waves, exulting in their 
might, 
The trembling vessel tossed with wild commo- 
tion ; 
The dimly twinkling stars their beacon 
light, 
The breath of heaven the life-inspiring gale 
That onward bore the proudly swelling sail. 



Through many a weary day, and darksome 

night 
It rode, with canvas rent, and broken spars, 
Led by the light that sparkled from the king 

of stars. 

X. 

Lo ! now the hopeful land salutes the eye, 

Where glassy lakes and rivers, sparkling 

bright, 
Kenect the beauteous drapery of the sky, 

And green-robed hills are laughing with de- 
light ; 
Amid the surge's wild, tumultuous roar, 
They strive with sinewy arm to gain the shore ; 
"While winds and waves the undiminished 
might 
Of that heroic crew in vain would mock, 
Unharmed they land on Plymouth's ever- 
lasting rock. 



182 the patriot's triumph. 



XL 

Here from the altar, built in earliest time 
By G-od omnipotent, were heard to^ rise 
Th' undying notes of prayer and praise sub- 
lime. 
And here, beneath the temple of the skies, 
Commingling with the music of the breeze, 
And wildly roaring anthems of the seas, 

Was offered up the holiest sacrifice 
By pious hearts to God Almighty given — 
A Conscience pure, with sin at war, at peace 
with heaven. 

XII. 

As morning dawned of each returning day, 
With vigorous strength their labors were re- 
newed : 

Before them fled the forest fast away, 

And swift the hordes of savage men pursued. 

Fair Culture smiled in beauty on the plain, 



Where late the forest held majestic reign. 

"Where sat enthroned sublime, grave solitude, 
The social circle lit the social smile — 
Of Freedom's temple there began the lofty pile. 

XIII. 

But scarce the rolling years more swiftly flew, 
Than Enterprise pursued his onward flight ; 
Than fleeting hours more fast their numbers 
grew, 
And brighter than the sun, the holy light, 
That now began from many a hallowed shrine, 
To blaze with freedom and with truth to shine ; 
And stronger than the fabled giants' might, 
Became, with reason armed, their moral force, 
Sublimer than the rolling worlds their onward 
course ! 

XIY. 

Not lofty mountain nor the bending river, 
Nor deeply dark unmeasured forest shade, 



184: THE PATRIOT'S TRIUMPH. 

Nor savage warrior, with his bow and quiver, 

Nor aught in fearful or sublime arrayed 
Of Nature's gloomy drapery ; nor clouds 
That hung upon the hills like mourning shrouds, 
Nor snows that Culture's winding sheet had 
made : 
Could check the course, much less the soul 

subdue, 
Of bold Adventure, seeking scenes forever new. 

XV. 

And where, on favored spots, profusely fell 
The gifts dispensed by Nature's bounteous 
hand, 

And woods and streams so eloquently well 
Bespoke the greatness of their native land : 

Prophetic thought! not this th' unhappy clime 

Where hopes like these are falsified by time. 
Not here the servile souls that brook com- 
mand 

Of tyrants ; but their Country's power supreme 



They proudly praise, and ceaseless sing th' ex- 
ulting theme. 

XYL 

In times of danger, like a magic spell, 
Arose the master-spirits of the land, 
Ambitions each to serve his country well ; 

And when Oppression raised her iron hand, 
To grasp the wealth that avarice would not 

steal, 
And mocked the pains that tyrants made them 
feel, 
By adding wrongs to insolent command : 
As fires produced by flint and steel combined, 
These ruder times struck out the nobler powers 
of mind. 

XVII. 

Bold Eloquence with strains persuasive came, 
And rune- his mellow voice with music's 
tone, 
. 9* 



186 the patriot's triumph. 

"When Freedom's kindling zeal burst forth in 

flame, 
And saw a monarch on his trembling throne ; 
Dispensing vile oppression's wrongs to those 
Unterrified by fear of human woes. 
From peak to peak by bounding echo 

thrown, 
Prophetic words with freezing terror rung, 
Till lost in clouds that o'er the Alleghanies 

hung. 

XVIII. 

Not brighter is the lightning's flashing stream, 

Nor louder is the thunder's awful peal, 
Than then appeared their weapons' dazzling 
gleam, 
Than sounded then their arms of clashing 
steel. 
Fair Freedom, who had for a season slept, 
Now waking, saw her sons in chains, and wept. 
The nation breathed with full heroic zeal, 



While every town and hamlet heard th' alarms, 
And every man in hut or hovel rushed to arms. 

XIX. 

The hour of trial came. It was a day 

Eventful in the history of time. 
Contending armies stood in proud array, 

Whose armor gleamed, whose banners waved 
sublime ; 
When through the deadening fires of battle red, 
The youthful hero, on his army led, 

And martial music rung its awful chime, 
The warrior laid him in the soldier's grave ! 
He fell in manhood's pride, and sleeps among 
the brave. 

XX. 

Not Bunker's classic hill, whose hoary head 

Full oft the lightning's fiery wing had seared ; 
Whose towering oaks were laid among the 
dead, 



When erst the thunderbolts of heaven ap- 
peared, 
Had ever made such signs of grief, as when 
His brow was stained with blood of dauntless 
men. 
That time hath passed, and on his head is 
reared 
A monument that shall perpetuate 
Their fame, whose death hath sanctified a 
cause so great. 

XXL 

The purpose of the land the Patriot breathed, 
Which angels whispered in the ears of 
heaven ; 
The warrior then his fearless sword un- 
sheathed 
To claim the rights by God and Nature 
given ; 
Their hearts, made bold by hope, and truth, 
and right, 



Their arms were nerved by more than mortal 
might. 
As flies the cloud before the tempest driven, 
So fled Britannia's host before the power 
Of warlike men ordained to signalize the hour ! 

XXII. 

O, who the moral grandeur can portray- 
That marks a nation struggling to be free ! 

Or who relate the glories of the day 
When Truth proclaimed the birth of liberty ! 

"What nobler theme could angels' harps employ 

Than bear to heaven Columbia's bursting joy, 
"When sang her sons the first great jubilee, 

Which rang from every vale where Culture 
smiled, 

To hills above the clouds in rocky turrets piled ! 

XXIII. 

The heroes of that day! where sleeps their 
dust? 



Their memory, what monumental stone 
Preserves ? or where inscribed the sculptured 
bust? 

Their fame is graven on a nobler throne — 
To mark their graves no gloomy tapers burn, 
Nor rest their ashes in a golden urn : — 

They lie in hallowed ground, but not alone. 
The world shall bless the names from age to 



Of Vernon's Patriot Chief and Monticello's 
Sage ! 

XXIY. 

"The Father of his Country !" — who shall 
sing 
His praise? "With reverence let the muse 
his name 
Pronounce, and soaring up, with heavenly 
wing, 
"Whence Truth and Justice, Love and Mercy 
came, 



THE PATRIOT'S TRIUMPH. 191 

The volume the recording angel keeps 
Unfold and read it when his body sleeps, 
And men the spotless page shall see, and 

Fame 
And Fortune, Genius, Learning, Noble Birth, 
Shall stand abashed before' his majesty and 

worth. 

XX Y. 

Thou hero ! — softly rest the earth above thee, 
And moistened be it with the tears of heaven; 
While, from the glowing hearts of those who 
love thee, 
Shall blessings come upon the breeze of even : 
For thee, O sweetly smile the early flowers 
That kiss the sun and drink the softening 
showers, 
And unto thee the priceless meed be given : 
Immortal spirit ! 't is a vision bright 
To view a ransomed people, radiant with de- 
light ! 



192 the patriot's triumph. 



XXYL 

ISTor nnremembered are the thousand names 

Of valiant men, who were his friends of old 
In council and in arms. The world proclaims 
Their praise more snre than characters of 
gold, 
And like the gentle moon, upon their tombs 
Fond memory smiles, and hope their path il- 
lumes, 
Beyond the course the farthest orb hath 
rolled, 
While every star that lights the milky way, 
Shall deck the crown that waits for them the 
final day ! 

XXYII. 

Among the living there are few, and they 

Are changed. Departed is th' elastic tread ; 
Their flaxen locks are turned to silver gray, 
And all the vigor of their youth is fled ; 



THE PATRIOT'S TRIUMPH. 193 

But memory revives their glowing hearts, 
And brightly shines the humble tear that starts, 
As they behold the tombs of honored dead ; 
For O, how dear to Heaven the Patriot's 

prayer, 
Breathed on the altar Freedom has erected 

there ! 

XXYIII. 

But most of these have passed away. The 
grave 
Has claimed earth's noblemen, and they 
have died, 
Lamented by the good and mourned as brave. 

Some sleep afar upon the mountain's side ; 
Some on the hill the gushing fountain laves ; 
Some in the valley where the woodbine waves, 
For every spot where flows the zephyr's tide, 
Or frowns the storm, or smiles the floweret's 

bloom, 
Is hallowed by the signal of a soldier's tomb ! 



XXIX. 

Auspicious hour ! birth-day of liberty ! 

Day that asunder burst the tyrant's ^chain ! 
Day that proclaimed the charter of the 
free! 
The fun'ral rite of black oppression's reign, 
"When despots wore their sable weeds of woe, 
Gave to thy hallowed light a brighter glow. 
Great day ! thy glad return brought joy and 
pain, 
When on thy morn awoke their nation's 

pride — 
Great men! — their God and Country blessed, 
and smiled, and died ! 

XXX. 

Long shall the memory of that day endure ; 
And for that great deliverance breathe de- 
votion 
To God Almighty, passionless and pure ; 



And millions, filled with transports of emo- 
tion, 
Shall hail its light with shows, and games, and 

plays, 
And joyous give the God of battles praise ! 
Throughout the land, and on the waves of 
ocean, 
Upon the mountain, and along the river, 
Shall guns and drums be heard, and bonfires 
burn forever ! 

XXXI. 

Our Country ! when shall kindling hope essay 

To cheer the dreamer's visionary hour, 
"With words prophetic of the future day 

That waits thy rising empire's boundless 
power ! 
How grandly beautiful thy mighty floods ; 
How terribly sublime thy darkened woods, 
Where climbs to dizzy heights the moun- 
tain tower, 



And solitude, in dusky robes arrayed, 

Holds full dominion o'er the melancholy shade ! 

XXXII. 

Who that hath seen, where stood the forest's 
pride, 

How cities rise where Enterprise awakes, 
And o'er the wildly heaving billows ride, 

With sweep sublime, the navies of the Lakes, 
Shall see, throughout our wide extended land, 
The flame of Freedom brighten and expand, 

And feel the rapture on the soul that breaks, 
When o'er the works of art shall stand sublime, 
The Patriot's Triumph, bright above the wreck 
of time ! 



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